Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said the use of face shields in select areas will remain mandatory until the government’s task force on the Covid-19 pandemic response will issue a finalized guideline on the matter.

During his virtual briefing, Roque appealed to the local government units (LGUs) to wait for the final decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) regarding the removal of face shields as additional protection against Covid-19 infection.

He likewise reminded the mayors that they are still “under the control and supervision of the President in the executive branch of government” and the IATF-EID’s decision also reflects that of the Chief Executive.

Roque made this statement after Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso issued local ordinance declaring the use of face shields as “non-mandatory” in the city, except within hospitals and other medical facilities.

“So ang desisyon po ngayon ay kinakailangan ipatupad muna ang face shields habang pinag-aaralan naman po. Hindi naman po natin sinasabi na hindi tatanggalin ‘yan pero antayin naman po natin ang desisyon ng IATF (So for now the mandatory use face shields should be imposed while it is being studied. We are not saying that we will not remove that, but let’s wait for the IATF decision),” Roque said.

President Rodrigo Duterte previously approved the recommendation to limit the use of face shields to close and crowded places as people were no longer required to wear this outdoors.

Roque said the government is already looking at the total lifting of the face shield requirement.

Until the IATF issues its final decision, Roque said mayors should “follow” the chain of command in implementing pandemic responses.

“Konting pasensya lang pero kinakailangan sundin natin ang chain of command sa Executive branch of government (Just a little patience but we need to follow the chain of command in the executive branch of the government)” Roque said.

Non-critical areas

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) said it is set to recommend the lifting of mandatory wearing of face shields in non-critical areas.

In a statement on Monday, MMC and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said face shields will remain mandatory in areas such as hospitals, health centers, and public utility vehicles (PUV).

“We will recommend the scrapping of mandatory wearing of face shields to the IATF-EID especially since the majority of the eligible population in Metro Manila are already fully vaccinated and the average daily attack rate, as well as the number of Covid-19 cases, are going down,” Abalos said.

He said the MMC, composed of the 17 mayors in Metro Manila, has also agreed to require vaccination among “exhibitors, sellers at tiangge (flea market) and pop-up night markets” to ensure the safety of the public.

“Since tiangges are seasonal and often last for only two months and sellers come from different areas, it is only proper to require them to be vaccinated,” Abalos said. (PNA)