Many are confused as to what the government’s policy is regarding wearing face shields when leaving home.
This is after the Palace confirmed President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that it should only be worn in the hospital.
But a few hours later, the Palace revoked it and said the mandatory wearing of face shield would remain because the IATF appealed to wear it in indoor spaces still.
“While waiting for the President’s decision on the matter, the existing policy on the use of face shields remains in effect,” said Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
Some lawmakers continued to call for everyone concerned to talk to each other.
“Unang ipapayo ko, dapat magkaroon sila ng group chat at mag-group hug muna sila bago sila maglabas ng statements… They need to put their act together at ipakita naman po sa atin yung talagang malinaw, maayos at magandang dahilan kung bakit ito ba ay kailangang gamitin o hindi,” said Sen. Joel Villanueva.
As long as the President does not take action on the IATF’s appeal, the PNP and other authorities will continue to criticize those not wearing face shields.
Public confused about different policies on face shields
“[W]e will continue to enforce the existing policy until the President decides on the matter and the IATF amends the guidelines. Ang pagpapatupad po natin ng mandatory wearing of face shields ay gaya din po sa polisiya natin sa face masks,” said PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.
NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Sec Carlito Galvez, favored keeping the indoor and outdoor mandatory wearing of face shield.
“Considering na merong rising variant, mas maganda pa rin na meron tayong redundant na protection so aside from face mask meron pa ring face shield,” he said.
So far, the public is divided on the issue of the face shield.
“Sa opinyon ko siguro ‘wag muna hanggang hindi pa tayo vaccinated lahat kasi dagdag proteksyon din natin face shield eh,” said Albert Alejandre, resident of Makati.
“Nakakaistorbo sya sa panahon ngayon sobrang mainit, baka mag-cause pa sya ng heat stroke… Hindi naman siya talaga 100 percent na nakakatulong,” said Tanya Apostol, a worker.