President Rodrigo Duterte's decision on the use of face shields "might" be out this week, a Cabinet official said Monday following confusion on the policy covering the use of the gear.
A memo from President Duterte on the use of face shields is "forthcoming," Cabinet Sec. Karlo Nograles said.
"The President was supposed to issue a memo, maybe perhaps this week it comes out...A memo is forthcoming para maliwanag na," Nograles said in an interview on ANC.
Until Duterte's memo comes out, Nograles said it's "status quo" for the meantime--meaning the public should continue wearing face shields in public places.
Confusion on the use of face shields were spurred by conflicting statements made by some lawmakers and government officials last week.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III was first to announce that President Duterte ruled to limit the use of face shields in hospitals. His statement was confirmed by Duterte's spokesperson, Harry Roque.
However, on the same day, Roque said the inter-agency task force on pandemic response appealed the ruling of the President and recommended the wearing of face shields in indoor spaces of hospitals, schools, workplaces, commercial establishments, public transport and terminals, and places of worship.
The wearing of face shields on top of face masks in public places was first made mandatory in December last year as the country prepared for possible spikes in COVID-19 cases. At the start of the pandemic, only face masks were required in public places.
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