House subpanel OKs ‘Better Normal Bill’ in response to pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — A substitute bill defining the “better normal” that may last for three years in response to the coronavirus pandemic, such as the mandatory wearing of face masks in public spaces, was approved by a House subpanel on Wednesday.

The New Normal Cluster of the House of Representative’s Defeat COVID-19 Committee (DCC) approved House Bill No. 6623 or “The Better Normal for the Workplace, Communities, and Public Spaces Act of 2020” which seeks a three-year extension–or “sooner upon official declaration of the President”–of the implementation of government measures in response to the pandemic.

The bill proposes that among the measures to be imposed in public places are the mandatory wearing of masks, the availability of handwashing or sanitizing stations in public areas, temperature checks, and physical distancing of at least one meter, but preferable two meters, in all public spaces.

For public transportation, physical distancing shall also apply in ticket queues, and passengers in all types of public transportation vehicles shall be required to wash their hands or sanitize before boarding the vehicle and be seated a seat apart and be at all times in face masks.

“Contact-less” payment mechanisms shall also be implemented.

“The operation of motorcycle taxis shall remain suspended to prevent the spread of the virus through shared helmets and close physical contact between the passenger and driver,” the bill notes.

For the education sector, all classes and school activities “shall remain suspended until further notice without prejudice to the academic freedom and levels of autonomy enjoyed by institutions of higher learning in the governance of their own academic affairs” subject to consultation with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

No student, however, shall be unreasonably penalized for their inability to participate in online classes due to connectivity and lack of gadget or equipment.

In foodservice workplaces, operations will initially resume only with take-out/delivery service before gradually re-introducing dine-in services. Buffets and salad bar services are temporarily discontinued.

Food establishments are also asked to maintain two-meter distances between tables when dine-in service resumes.

Commercial stores and centers such as banks, boutiques, groceries, supermarkets, and shopping malls shall establish a maximum number of people inside their establishment at any given time and limit entry. They are also asked to promote online transactions and shopping services.

Offices in buildings such as call centers and other standard officers shall likewise limit the number of people who use elevators and to put more vending machines instead of opening cafeterias. Physical meetings are also discouraged.

For salons, parlors, and spas, the wearing of face masks and gloves are mandatory since physical contact is unavoidable and frequent handwashing and sanitizing of salon tools used shall be observed.

In construction sites, factories, and other industrial workplaces, on-site and production schedules need to be adjusted and the use of co-workers’ tools and equipment shall be limited.

The bill is expected to be approved by the Defeat COVID-19 Committee on Thursday, May 28. Once approved by the committee, it will be brought to the plenary for debates.

/MUF