Wearing of face shields is no longer mandatory in Manila except in different hospitals

By Edward Era Barbacena

   

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 8) — Use of face shield is no longer mandatory in the City of Manila, except in hospitals, effective Monday.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday signed Executive Order No. 42, citing the latest stance of the Department of Interior and Local Government that favors the removal of the face shield requirement.

"Ang kailangan na lang natin gawin ay mag-mask, para kahit paano maibsan ang inyong gastusin dahil sa face shield na yan. Kailangan ko ang kusang disiplina niyo. Magpabakuna kayo," the local official said.

[Translation: You just need to wear your mask, so we can somehow lessen your spending due to the face shields. I need your cooperation. Please get vaccinated.]

It is the first local government in the National Capital Region to scrap the policy.

MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos told Teleradyo that the 17 local chief executives in the capital region agreed to only require face shields in "critical areas," such as hospitals, health centers, and public utility vehicles. He said they will forward their "official position" to the Inter-Agency Task Force, which will have the final say.

Last week, the Department of Health said it also supports the easing of face shield use in enclosed spaces, but it requested for more time to reevaluate evidence before making a formal recommendation

DOH spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said the agency's officials will meet with the IATF on Monday to submit their formal recommendation.

The effectiveness of face shield 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, stressing these do not offer an additional layer of protection.