IATF To Tackle Face Shield Policy

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) is set to tackle the country’s face shield policy in a meeting today, according to IATF co-chair and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, via CNN.

This comes as talks about the use of face shields in public was spurred by Senate President Vicente Sotto III in a tweet saying President Duterte is in agreement that face shields should only be used in hospitals and that the President is ordering DOH to stop the policy on the wearing of face shields in public.

“Last night, the President agreed that face shields should only be used in hospitals. Allowed us to remove ours! Attn DOH!” Sotto said on Twitter.

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega also mentioned yesterday in a Laging Handa briefing that the public can remove face shields in outdoor places.

“… Pag nasa outside naman, kasi alam naman natin ang risk of transmission is very low, at lalong lalo na kapag naglalakad ka lang sa kalye o kaya nagtatrabaho ka, kasi makaka-affect ‘yung moist nito so puwede niyo tanggalin ‘yan, (We know the risk of transmission is very low outside, even more so when you’re walking about on the sidewalk, or when you’re working as the moisture can affect, so you can remove it.)” Vega said.

However, Nograles responded that the use of face shields are still required as of today.

Vega’s statement is also contradictory to the policy of the wearing of face shields according to the Joint Memorandum Circular 2021-0001 which states that face shields are required to be worn in enclosed public spaces, schools, workplaces, commercial establishments, public transport and terminals, and places of worship.

Nograles however, said that there will be a more definite answer to the matter after the IATF meeting.

“Perhaps this afternoon, after the IATF meeting, we will have a more definite answer from the IATF. Because we have to discuss this among members of the IATF plus with our health experts,” he added, via CNN. (GFB)