FILE PHOTO: In this December 21, 2020, photo, a man and his companion wear face masks resembling the Philippine flag in Divisoria, Manila, as Palace announced that wearing of face shields along with face masks when out in public is still mandatory. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — The recent directive making face shield use no longer mandatory for areas under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and lower is a welcome development, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said on Tuesday.
Moreno, who has been advocating for a higher focus on anti-COVID-19 medicines instead of face shields, said that the decision to lift the mandatory face shield use would help lessen people’s burdens as they no longer have to buy face shields.
“Ang kailangan na lang nating gawin ay mag face mask para kahit paano maibsan ang inyong gastusin araw-araw dahil sa face shield na yan,” the presidential aspirant said in a statement.
“Rest assured na kapag bumuti nang bumuti ang sitwasyon, sa tulong ng taong bayan, ay luluwag nang luluwag. Bibilisan lang natin ang ating kilos, tingin ko mapupunta na tayo sa new normal,” he added.
Moreno’s remark came a day after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation to remove the requirement of wearing a face shield, an accessory which the government said would help people avoid contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
Moreno had previously stressed that the Philippines is the only country in the world that requires the use of face shields on top of face masks to prevent coronavirus infection.
READ: Manila City lifts face shield requirement except in medical facilities
Under Duterte’s memorandum, people living in areas categorized under COVID-19 Alert Levels 1, 2, and 3 would no longer need to wear face shields indoors, except in hospitals and other medical institutions.
READ: Face shields no longer required in areas under Alert Level 3 and lower – Palace
READ: DOTr: Face shields not required for public transport in areas under alert levels 1-3
Similarly, face shields are also no longer required inside public transportations starting Tuesday.
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