SHIELD ON A mural in Singalong district, Manila, depicts a man wearing a face shield as the debate on its use outdoors continues. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — The Muntinlupa City government on Friday announced that wearing face shields will no longer be required in the city except in hospitals and clinics.
“All persons found in the City of Muntinlupa shall no longer be required to wear a face shield outside of residence and in any public or private establishments, except in hospitals and clinics,” read the resolution which was enacted on November 9 but was released to the media on Friday.
“Due to the high percentage of vaccinated individuals and the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases, the Sanguniang Panglungsod deems it necessary to allow the non-use of face shields in public and private establishments with certain exceptions,” it added.
Manila is the first local government in Metro Manila to scrap the face shield policy.
Presidential Harry Roque earlier said orders to discontinue the usage of face shields are “null and void” for going against existing national policy.
But Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and other Metro Manila mayors pointed out that the local chief executives have the power to make such orders, saying they exercise the powers vested by the local government code under the general welfare clause.
The Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases met on Thursday but Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte himself may also make the announcement with regards to the usage of face shield.