The national government announced on November 16, 2021 that the use of face shields will no longer be mandatory in areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3.
“Ang ating gustong tanggalin, lalo na sa karamihan, is that they find the wearing of the mask is cumbersome,” said President Rodrigo Duterte during his Talk to the People on November 15, 2021,l. “So, maraming nagrereklamo. Ang desisyon ko is okay tanggalin na ninyo yung…shield. Puwede na ninyong i-dispense ‘yung shield but not the mask.”
Although he approved the recommendation of the IATF-EID regarding the use of face shield protocols, he emphasized that wearing of face masks will still be imposed and might be there for good as COVID-19 is an airborne virus.
“‘Yung mask will forever remain and it will be a part of our day to day…safety measure kasi matagal pa itong virus na nasa hangin lang,” Duterte added.
Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesman Karlo Nograles said the LGUs and private establishments in places placed under Alert Level 4 will be under their discretion while Alert Level 5 and areas under granular lockdown will be required to still use face shields.
Nograles also said that people can voluntarily continue wearing face shields in Alert Level 1 to 3 areas.
Meanwhile, all, including healthcare workers, will be required to still use face shields in medical and quarantine facilities as well healthcare settings.