Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) — President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed that face shields should only be worn in hospitals, Malacañang confirmed Thursday.
“I can only confirm what Senate President Tito Sotto and what Senator Joel Villanueva said earlier, that the President did say that the wearing of face shields should only be in hospitals,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque during his regular noontime virtual briefing.
Earlier in the day, Sotto tweeted that the chief executive expressed his agreement on Wednesday night.
Villanueva, meanwhile, confirmed the same encounter with Duterte in a briefing prior to the Palace presser. He recounted how they were asked if there are indeed any countries requiring the wearing of face shields — a question he and fellow lawmakers also asked in a recent Senate hearing.
None of them were able to mention any nation whatsoever, said Villanueva, prompting the chief executive to tell them they don’t have to wear these.
Roque said he will be raising in the meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases this afternoon whether they will appeal the President’s decision.
Health Undersecretary and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega said yesterday that face shields may be taken off when working or walking outdoors. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, meanwhile, has continually urged the public to keep wearing face shields as they add another layer of protection against COVID-19.
Last night, the President agreed that face shields should only be used in hospitals. Allowed us to remove ours! Attn DOH!
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) June 16, 2021
