A decision on discontinuing the use of face shields and masks in less-risky areas of the Philippines will be taken in a week’s time.
The Department of Health (DOH) has sought a week’s time to assess the mandatory use of face shields in public.
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Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said, “Pinag-usapan din po kahapon sa IATF at nag-manifest po ang Department of Health na bigyan pa kami ng isang linggo para patuloy na pag-aralan.”
The Philippines COVID-19 Living Clinical Practice (living CPG) group is reevaluating existing evidence before it will release its recommendations.
“So ngayon po nirere-evaluate nila lahat ng existing evidence at pag lumabas na po ito magkakaroon na po tayo ng appropriate recommendations for the face shields,” she said.
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Earlier Malacañang said that a number of members of the Inter-Agency Task Force are in favor of ditching the mandatory use of face shields when indoors due to the lower number of COVID-19 cases. The DOH also supports the dropping of face shields in low-risk areas, Vergeire said.
“Pero definitely, the Department of Health supports naman po itong pag-ease ng protection katulad ng mga face shield dito po sa mababa ang transmission,” she said. (AW)
