WEARING of face shields in all public transportation in areas under Alert Level 1, 2, and 3 will no longer be mandatory, following the approval of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the recommended guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
The IATF Resolution No. 148-D, signed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Secretary Karlo Alexi Nograles was unanimously approved and adopted in a regular meeting by the task force on 11 November 2021, stated in certification by Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary and IATF Head Secretariat Charade Mercado-Grande.
1. For areas under Alert Level 5 and granular lockdowns, the use of face shields in community settings shall be mandatory;
2. For areas under Alert Level 4, local government units (LGUs) and private establishments are given discretion to mandate the use of face shields; and
3. For areas under Alert Levels 3, 2 and 1, the use of face shields shall be voluntary.
DOTr representative to the IATF-EID and Undersecretary for Administrative Services Artemio Tuazon Jr. said the Department will immediately enforce the protocols on the use of face shields.
“In line with the directive issued by the IATF, which was also approved by the Palace, wearing of face shields in areas, where Alerts Level 1, 2 and 3 are in place, is no longer mandatory. It will be voluntary.” Usec. Tuazon said.
To recall, all passengers in any mode of public transportation were required to wear face shields, aside from face masks, effective 15 August 2020.
Meanwhile, despite the lifting of the mandatory use of face shields, stringent preventive measures remain in effect to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in all public transport facilities.
These include the mandatory wearing of face mask, strict enforcement of the social distancing measure, and frequent sanitation.
Talking and eating are likewise discouraged inside all public transportation.
