Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is wishing for a "definitive statement from the scientific community" regarding the mandatory use of face shields, whether it is necessary to fight COVID-19 infection or not.
Belmonte on Monday said the local government needs to "reconcile" its rules on mandatory wearing of face shields as it is different from that of the national government.
She said local authorities are only requiring the public to wear face shields inside enclosed spaces, such as malls and public transportation; while authorities under the jurisdiction of the national government, particularly the police, require people to wear face shields even outside.
"I just want to mention that we have to solve this problem with the police," Belmonte said in mixed English and Filipino in an interview with DZXL.
The mayor's remark came after a video recently went viral on social media wherein police officers were criticized for trying to fine individuals inside a public transportation who were not wearing face shields. Even the cops were not wearing the said protective gear.
Belmonte said that people are now confused about the policy as under the city's ordinance, wearing of face shields is only required inside enclosed establishments. This is unlike under the national government's guidelines where face shields are required even outdoors.
"So we're having a slight misunderstanding about what to follow: the ordinance or the national government guidelines?" she asked. "At some point we have to reconcile what we have to follow to avoid confusing the public."