Senator Pia Cayetano has urged the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 to exempt cyclists and joggers from the mandatory wearing of face shields.
A triathlete, Cayetano said she is fully aware of the danger of wearing face shields, which are now required to be worn in public areas on top of face masks.
“I join the biking community in expressing concerns on the safety of using a face shield while biking,” Cayetano said in a statement.
“As a cyclist on the road, I know how important it is to be fully aware of your surroundings. A face shield could drastically impair one’s vision and perception of space, which may lead to accidents,” she said.
“I ask the IATF to consider exempting cyclists from wearing face shields,” she said.
She also urged the IATF to exempt joggers from the wearing of face shields when jogging in open spaces as this could impair their breathing.
“Moreover, recognizing the role of exercise in promoting mental and physical health, I also ask the IATF to exempt joggers from the requirement when jogging in open spaces, provided they observe social distancing measures,” the senator said.
Malacañang had earlier announced that the use of face masks and full face shields is now mandatory to prevent a potential surge of COVID-19 infections this holiday season.
The public was previously only required to wear these equipment while inside malls and enclosed spaces.