DOH needs one more week to evaluate need for face shields as cases dip

BRING ALONG Even after President Rodrigo Duterte allowed people not to wear face shields outdoors, they should still bring them along because the government requires their continued use in closed spaces, crowded areas and places where there are close contact activities. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has requested for another week to evaluate and study the need for people to wear face shields outside their homes as COVID-19 cases in the country decline.

DOH Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said while it supports the easing of the face shield policy particularly in areas with low COVID-19 transmission, it still needs enough evidence to properly make the recommendation before the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“Nag-manifest ang DOH na bigyan pa kami ng isang linggo para patuloy na pag-aralan [The DOH has already asked for one more week for us to continue to study this],” Vergeire said in a press briefing.

“Pag lumabas na ito, magkakaroon tayo ng appropriate recommendation for the face shield. But definitely the DOH supports itong pag-ease ng mga protection tulad ng face shield dito sa mabababa ang transmission,” she added.

(When the evidence comes out, then we will have an appropriate recommendation for the face shields. But definitely the DOH supports the easing of requirements like face shield in areas where there is low transmission.)

Talks on whether face shields are really needed surfaced again after Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said that Interior Secretary Eduardo Año will propose to lift the policy on wearing face shields except in hospitals.

Wearing a face shield is currently mandated in closed spaces, crowded areas, and close-contact settings.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has said that the requirement for wearing face shields should be “risk-based.

JPV