Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 12) — Filipinos still have to wait for the revised guidelines on the mandatory use of face shields in enclosed spaces.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday said the Inter-Agency Task Force has forwarded its recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte, who has yet to make the final decision.
“Paano po ‘yung face shields? Meron na pong desisyon, pero ito ay for approval and possibly for announcement by the President himself,” he said.
[Translation: How about the face shields? There is a decision, but it is for approval and possibly for announcement by the President himself.]
The IATF met on Thursday to discuss the recommendation of the Department of Health to only require the use of face shields in hospitals and enclosed public utility vehicles in areas under Alerts Level 1 and 2.
Several local government units have relaxed the face shield policy, but Malacañang told them to wait for the official decision of Duterte before enforcing it — causing confusion to the public.
The effectiveness of face shield use has been a contentious issue among the public and lawmakers. A wind engineer from the University of the Philippines earlier said face shields would only trap COVID-19 airborne particles and these offer no additional layer of protection.
