PNP to continue enforcing face shields policy sans new guidelines, says Eleazar

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it will continue enforcing the mandatory wearing of face shields as recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

In a statement, PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said violators should only be cautioned and reminded that there are still no guidelines that allow the public not to wear face shields amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The latest recommendation of the IATF to the President is to continue making mandatory the wearing of face shields in enclosed spaces, commercial areas, public transport, terminals and even places of worship,” he said.

“With this, we will continue to enforce the existing policy until the President decides on the matter and the IATF amends the guidelines,” he said.

Eleazar directed police personnel to refrain from imposing any sanctions on violators.

According to Eleazar, the PNP will wait for the issuance of new guidelines based on President Rodrigo Duterte's decision.

On Thursday, Malacañang spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque said Duterte's statement, made during a conversation with senators in Malacañang on Wednesday, requiring the wearing of face shields only in hospitals is considered policy.

The IATF, the government's policy-making body in the COVID-19 response, has appealed the decision. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News