PH gov’t considers return of face shield policy due to Omicron variant threat

The government may require the use of face shields again due to the threat of the Omicron (B1.1.529) COVID-19 variant, according to National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr.

Galvez said in a press briefing that they will look into the possibility of bringing back the face shield policy, which President Rodrigo Duterte recently lifted in most areas. Currently, only people in areas under Alert Level 5 and granular lockdowns are required to wear face shields.

“Kasi some people from WHO (World Health Organization) also believed na kaya nagkaroon tayo ng magandang result dito sa Delta as compared to others is because of also the added protection of face shield,” said Galvez, in a report by INQUIRER.net.

[Some people from WHO also believe that the reason why we were able to for good results during the Delta surge, as compared to others, is also because of the added protection of face shields.]

Galvez also noted that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is also in favor of the return of protections that could be used against the coronavirus.

Furthermore, due to the threat of the newfound variant, the Philippine government ordered the suspension of flights from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique until December 15.

Source: INQUIRER.net