The mandatory wearing of face shields indoors remains effective, Malacañang said Monday as it reminded mayors to heed the pandemic response policies issued by the country's Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 response.
Mayors should enforce the policies set by the IATF, including the wearing of face shields, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said after at least three cities, Manila, Davao and Iloilo, allowed the voluntary use of the gear.
"Ang desisyon po ngayon ay kailangan ipatupad muna ang face shields habang pinag-aaralan naman po," Roque told reporters.
"Hindi naman natin sinasabi na hindi tatanggalin yan (face shield policy) pero antayin naman po natin ang desisyon ng IATF dahil meanwhile po, until hindi nababago ang desisyon ng IATF, the order of the President through the IATF is ipatupad pa rin ang pagsusuot ng ating mga face shield," he said.
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The wearing of face shields on top of face masks in all public places was first made mandatory in December last year. In September, President Rodrigo Duterte removed the face shield requirement in outdoor areas but kept it in places with high risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Roque appealed for understanding from local government units and hinted at the possible lifting of the face shield policy soon as the country sees a decline in COVID-19 cases.
"Pinag-aaralan naman po yan at baka naman po ma-lift na yan, kaunting pasensya lang po," Roque said.
The Philippines has largely eased COVID-19 restrictions in November, opening more industries and allowing children to go outdoors in select areas.
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