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DOH, DILG chiefs to Senate: Face shields give added protection against COVID-19

Philippines | National

DOH, DILG chiefs to Senate: Face shields give added protection against COVID-19

By Mario Casayuran

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday, June 15 said the use of face shields and other health protocols help prevent 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections.

Appearing before a hybrid public hearing of the Senate Committee of the Whole, Duque maintained that there is a scientific basis for asking the populace to use face shields as added protection.

Aside from face shields, Duque strongly suggested that other health protocols such as social distancing, hand washing and use of face masks should be followed.

But Senate President Vicente C.Sotto III, committee chairman, told Duque that he has been told by some doctors that there is no need for face shields.

Duque intimated that fears of COVID-19 infection would be addressed when the country has already covered a large number of Filipinos vaccinated.

After Duque explained that this situation would be studied, Sotto told the DOH chief that his department must study it now.

Sotto also directed Duque to submit to the Senate a list of countries that do not require the use of face masks.

Senator Nancy Binay said local government units (LGUs) have ordinances that penalize violators who do not use face shields.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Ano sided with health officials by saying that face shields give added protection to the user.

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