Agencies to issue guidelines on use of face shields — IATF

Government agencies will come up with guidelines on the proper use of face shields, including possible exemptions, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said.

The IATF said a consolidated advisory will be released by the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other agencies.

The task force’s decision on Thursday comes after questions emerged following Malacañang’s announcement on Tuesday that people leaving their homes must wear face shields on top of face masks.

Previously, the government only required the wearing of face shields inside establishments and public transport.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday that the latest policy was backed by science, adding it was necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Philippines has so far reported 454,447 COVID-19 cases with 8,850 deaths. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News