DOLE Issues Guidelines for Voluntary Wearing of Face Masks in Workplaces

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 7, the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issued Labor Advisory No. 22, series of 2022 (the “Guidelines”) which provided the guidelines on the voluntary wearing of face masks in workplaces.

The Guidelines cover all workers and workplaces in the private sector. Further, the wearing of face masks in workplaces shall be voluntary except in the following places:

1. Healthcare facilities, including but not limited to, clinics, hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes, and dialysis clinics;
2. Medical transport vehicles, such as ambulance and paramedic rescue vehicles; and
3. Public transportation by land, air, or sea

The elderly, immunocompromised, unvaccinated and symptomatic individuals, individuals with comorbidities, and pregnant women are highly encouraged to wear face masks.

Employers and their workers may implement a policy requiring the wearing of face masks, taking into account, among others, the hazards and risks, industry requirements, and incidence of other communicable diseases including measures to address non-compliance thereto pursuant to the existing company policy, rules, and regulations.