The Department of Health (DOH) said that the wearing of face shields on specific settings, such as in enclosed public spaces, "has always been the standing policy."
Citing the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2021-0001 on the Clarificatory Guidelines on the Mandatory Use of Face Shields Outside of Residence for COVID-19 Mitigation, Vergeire said that "at the minimum, face shields are required to be worn in the following settings:"
-Enclosed public spaces
-Schools
-Workplaces
-Commercial establishments such as but not limited to food establishments, malls, and public markets
-Public transport and terminals
-Places of worship
-Other public spaces wherein 1 meter physical distancing is not possible and there is gathering of more than 10 people at the same venue at the same time.
"This has always been the standing policy," said Vergeire.
Vergeire made the clarification after DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said that the public may remove their face shields outdoors.
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“Per the cited JMC, wearing of face shields is mandatory in specific settings and situations. Some of these settings were cited by Usec Vega as examples. Some settings won’t require it---like for active transport users,” said Vergeire
The DOH spokesperson further clarified that local government units, however, may implement stricter measures.
“The IATF Resolution No. 88 and the Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines as of May 20,2021, allow the local government units to implement stricter MPHS (minimum public health standard) measures within their jurisdictions, in accordance with the existing laws and guidelines of the national government,” said Vergeire.