Malacañang said that the wearing of face shields is no longer required outdoors, saying the government's pandemic task force only appealed that it be required indoors.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as the public awaits President Duterte's decision on the appeal of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on his decision to only require face shields in hospitals despite the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In his press briefing on Monday, June 21, Roque said that the government's policy on face shields will be discussed in the President's weekly public address.
However, he clarified that face shields were no longer required outdoors.
"Ang malinaw po ganito: Hindi na kailangan ng face shield sa labas kasi hindi naman po 'yan inapila ng IATF (What's clear is this: Face shields are no longer required outdoors because that is not what the IATF appealed)," Roque said.
"Ang inapila lang ng IATF yung pagsusuot ng face shield sa loob, kasama na sa mga malls, commercial establishments, at pampublikong transportasyon (What the IATF appealed was the wearing of face shield indoors including malls, commercial establishments, and public transportation)," he added.
Roque said that those outside their homes should not be apprehended if they were not wearing a face shield.
"Hindi po 'yan kasama sa inapila ng IATF (That is not part of IATF's appeal)," he said.
On Thursday last week, Malacañang confirmed that President Duterte preferred that people only be required to wear face shields in hospitals. However, the IATF was opposed to easing the rules on wearing face shields, especially indoors.
"The resolved to recommend to President 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," Roque said.
Pending the President’s decision, Roque said the 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.