IATF mulls removal of face shield rule amid dropping COVID-19 cases

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases is discussing whether there is still a need for face shields amid the declining COVID-19 cases, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque shared on Tuesday.

Currently, Filipinos are not mandated to wear face shields outdoors but are required to to use it in the three Cs — closed spaces, crowded areas, and close-contact activities.

“I can confirm po na habang bumababa ang mga numero ay pinag-uusapan na rin po kung ipagpapatuloy pa ang pagsuot ng face shields,” Roque, also the IATF spokesman, said during the Palace briefing.

(I can confirm that while cases go down, the discussion whether face shields would still be used is underway.)

“So, tama po kayo dahil bumababa ang numero, marami nang kumbaga nagsasabi sa IATF na baka dapat itigil na rin ang pagsusuot ng face shields,” he added.

(You are right since the numbers are dropping, many people are telling the IATF that maybe it is time to stop the use of face shields.)

However, Roque stressed that there is no final decision yet and advised the public to continue wearing face shields for now.

“Pero, wala pa pong desisyon. So, suot pa rin po tayo ng face shields. Nililinaw ko lang po, bagamat dumadami ang sumusuporta sa hindi na paggamit ng face shields dahil bumababa ang numero, sa ngayon po, isuot pa rin po natin ang face shields lalong-lalo na do’n sa three Cs when in the outdoors,” he said.

(But, we have no decision yet. So, let us still wear face shields. I’m just clarifying, while many support not using face shields because of declining figures, for now, we have to wear face shields especially in three Cs.)

For his part, Dr. Edsel Salvaña, Department of Health – Technical Advisory Group member, said that face shields protect the eyes which are not covered by face masks so the coronavirus will not enter the body.

“So, aside from the double layer of protection, ‘yung eye protection is also kind of important. And kaya nga  rin may nakakalusot — ‘yung iba kahit naka-double mask sila — dahil pwede pa rin pumasok ‘yung virus sa mata,” he explained.

(So, aside from the double layer of protection, the eye protection is also kind of important. And that’s why there are cases of being infected — despite double masking — because the virus can enter through the eyes.)

However, Salvaña agreed with Roque that the policy could be reviewed, considering the decreasing risk.

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