The government task force in charge of addressing the pandemic is opposed to easing the rules on wearing of face shields especially indoors amid the continued threat of the coronavirus disease.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has agreed to ask President Duterte to keep the rule on the use of the protective shields in enclosed public spaces such as workplace, malls, and public transportation. The recommendation of the IATF was reached during a meeting after President Duterte decided that face shield should be worn only in hospitals.
"The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) resolved to recommend to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte the mandatory wearing of face shields in enclosed/indoor spaces of hospitals, schools, workplaces, commercial establishments (such as but not limited to food establishments, malls and public markets), public transport and terminals, and places of worship," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
Pending the President's decision, Roque said rule on shield-wearing will stay. "While waiting for the President’s decision on the matter, the existing policy on the use of face shields remains in effect," he said.
READ: Duterte policy on face shield use only in hospitals subject to IATF appeal — Roque
Since December 2020, the government has required the public to wear face masks whenever leaving their houses as an additional layer of protection against the coronavirus.
The Department of Health later issued a memorandum that face shields should 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
Various local government units have also issued their respective ordinances on the use of face shields on top of masks with the corresponding penalties for violators. The health department earlier refused to relax the face shield policy, insisting it remained effective in lessening the risk of COVID infection.
Early Thursday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III bared the President's decision that face shield policy should be limited in hospitals. The Palace later confirmed that the President's decision will become "policy" although the IATF can still make an appeal.
READ: Duterte supports face shield use only in hospitals; IATF to review policy