‘Better Normal Bill’ that responds to pandemic hurdles House 2nd reading 

File photo from the office of Majority Leader Martin Romualdez.

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on second reading the bill which makes several measures such as the wearing of face masks in public spaces and workplaces and observance of physical and social distancing mandatory as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.

In a voice voting, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 6864 or the Better Normal for the Workplace, Communities and Public Spaces Act of 2020.

Among the health and safety measures proposed in the bill are the mandatory wearing of face masks, availability of handwashing and sanitizing stations in public areas, temperature checks, and observance of physical distancing.

The bill also proposes several measures in various sectors such as labor, education, transportation, and governance.

“With this measure, we seek to lay the groundwork that will expedite our people’s adaptation to the demands of the new normal. The soonest we adapt, businesses can resume operations and workers can go back to their jobs without fear of contracting the dreaded coronavirus,” House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said during a hearing conducted by the lower chamber’s Defeat COVID-19 Committee.

“Through safety and health protocols including physical distancing, we can also keep our families safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” he added.

JPV