Duterte Speaks on Possibility of Re-imposing Face Shield Policy

Pres. Duterte Speaks on Face Shield as “Added Protection”

DUTERTE – Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte spoke on the possibility of re-imposing the face shield policy in the Philippines.

Many Filipinos are struggling for more than a year now due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The people are currently living under a “new normal” setting where the wearing of face masks and the practice of social distancing are musts. The situation is unstable amid the pandemic.

A drop was noted by the Department of Health (DOH) on the daily recorded COVID-19 cases in the country but the Health Department is keen on easing all the restrictions right away. It cited that there were instances in the past when the cases dropped and spiked again after some time.

Currently, there is another global concern – the Omicron variant of COVID-19 which was first detected in South Africa. Several other countries across the globe recorded cases of the said variant as well.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
ALFRED FRIAS/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The Philippine national government recently tightened its border control on some countries again amid the threat of Omicron. The Philippine travel ban includes South Africa, Belgium, Switzerland, and several other nations in pursuit to prevent the entry of the variant of concern.

The national government is also mulling over implementing the mandatory face shield policy again. It was just a few weeks ago when it was lifted in areas under Alert Level 1-3. It remains mandatory in areas under Alert Levels 4 and 5.

Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte also spoke on the possibility of re-imposing the mandatory face shield policy. According to him, the government “have to sort it out” as it gives added protection. He expressed that the protocols will be strict again once the Omicron reaches the Philippines.

According to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año, the mandatory face shield policy would really be re-imposed once a case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is recorded and the alert level increases.

Health Chief Francisco Duque III also supports the re-imposition of the face shield policy. He stressed that it can be an added protection most especially in public utility vehicles (PUVs) amid the increased capacity.

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