The Department of Health (DOH) said that the use of face shields serves as an added protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The DOH reiterated that the set minimum public health standards when consistently done and observed altogether, will significantly help reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Among the health protocols that the government is continuously promoting to the public include proper wearing of face masks and face shield, regularly washing or disinfecting hands or high-touch surfaces, observing one-meter physical distancing, and ensuring proper ventilation in indoor spaces.
“We understand the concerns raised on the government's policy on wearing of face shields and we are open to dialogues in improving our health policies. However, the nationwide case trend is plateauing and not decreasing,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a statement.
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“The increase in cases is slowly shifting in other regions outside the NCR (National Capital Region) plus. With this trend, we cannot afford to relax the policies on personal preventive measures,” she added.
Vergeire said that the use of face shield is backed by scientific studies.
“We can consider loosening up these measures when we see a continuous significant decline in our daily COVID-19 cases and/or once a significant portion of our population, especially the vulnerable sectors, the elderly and then persons with comorbidities, have been fully vaccinated," she said.
“With the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, the DOH urged the public to strictly observe the minimum public health standards and get vaccinated when it’s their turn to curb the transmission of COVID-19,” she added.