DOH cautions on use of face shields for people with difficulty in breathing

MANILA, Philippines —  As the government requires wearing the face shield in public, the Department of Health (DOH) warned that it is not recommended if a person has respiratory issues.

“Hindi po natin nirerekomenda na gagamitin ang face shield kung ang isang tao ay mayroong specific na karamdaman na magkakaroon ng limitasyon sa paghinga kung sakali,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in an online press conference on Friday.

(We are not recommending the use of a face shield if a person has specific respiratory issues.)

The DOH also cautioned the use of face shields for employees that would have issues with eyesight.

“Hindi nirerekomenda sa trabahong magiging dangerous siya katulad na baka magreflect sa face shield magkaroon ng paglabo ‘yung sight niya,” Vergeire said.

(We are not recommending the use of a face shield if it interferes with eyesight during work.)

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) ordered government agencies to issue guidelines on the use of face shields.

The DOH, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Labor and Employment, and other agencies were instructed to create advisories for proper use of face shields when outside, including “exclusions or exemptions, as may be appropriate.”

The government has required the use of face shields outside of a person’s residence.

JPV