High vaccination rate in NCR led to easing of rules on wearing face shields --- Roque

Malacañang believes that the National Capital Region (NCR) vaccinating almost 70 percent of its target population was one of the reasons why experts recommended relaxing the country's face shield policy despite the rising number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after President Duterte finally lifted the mandatory requirement on the use of face shields outdoors, except in closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings.

In his press briefing on Thursday, September 23, Roque reiterated that the President's decision was based on the recommendation of health experts.

He said that experts may have decided to make the recommendation because of the number of people getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Siguro may mga factors na kinonsidera ang ating mga dalubhasa kasama na diyan yung halos 70 percent na nabakunahan na dito sa Metro Manila (Perhaps ourexports have considered some factors and one of them is the almost 70 percent people in Metro Manila being vaccinated)," Roque said.

As of September 22, a total of 6,760,863 individuals in Metro Manila have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is 69.16 percent of its target coverage.

Meanwhile, 19,376,832 people nationwide have been fully vaccinated.

On Wednesday, President Duterte said face shields will no longer be required outdoors but they will still be mandatory in the 3Cs or establishments and activities considered as close, crowded, and close-contact.

"The use of face shields on top of face masks may be limited to high-risk activities under the 3Cs-- closed (spaces), crowded, close contact," Duterte said.

"This will include indoor establishments, transportation, gatherings, and other activities that promote close contact, as applicable," he added.

The President added that he ordered the immediate issuance of the necessary guidelines.

On Thursday, Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will meet to discuss the new face shield guidelines.

"Inaasahan po natin na aamyendahan ng IATF ang mga guidelines na naapektuhan dahil nga po sa kautusan ng ating Presidente (We expect the IATF will amend the guidelines that were affected by this new order from the President)," he said.

Duterte explained that he decided to keep the wearing of face shields both indoors and outdoors mandatory because he got scared by the threat brought about by the Delta variant.

In June, President Duterte said he preferred that people only be required to wear face shields in hospitals. However, the government’s pandemic task force was opposed to easing the rules on wearing face shields and appealed that the rule is kept, especially indoors.