Apparently, wearing face shield inside commercial establishments is now mandatory

Today, August 21, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque just announced that wearing face shields inside enclosed commercial spaces, including malls, is now mandatory. The decision was agreed by the National Task Force (NTF), weeks after implementing the mandatory wearing of the face shield in public transportation.

“Napagkasunduan po ng National Task Force (NTF) na bukod po roon sa pagsusuot ng face shield sa pampublikong sasakyan saka sa trabaho, dapat isuot na rin ang face shield sa mga nakasaradong commercial establishment, gaya ng mga malls,” Roque said in an interview on state-run network PTV-4.

The NTF, led by Secretary Carlito Galvez, is the implementing arm of government policies on COVID-19 response. Prior to shifting to general community quarantine from modified enhanced community quarantine, the government initially required the wearing of face shield inside public transportation and workplaces.

The Department of Health consistently encourages everyone to wear face protection when going out of their houses. The department said wearing a face shield and face mask offers 99% protection against COVID-19.

In last week’s press briefing, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that some of the businesses will resume their operation in  GCQ areas.

“Mas marami pong industriyang bukas. Pupuwede po ang dine-in sa mga restaurant, pupuwede po na magkaroon ng religious services pero hanggang 30% lang po,” Roque said.

“Halos lahat po ng industriya ay magbubukas bukod na lang po doon sa maraming natitipon-tipon, ‘yung mga entertainment, at ‘yung mga amusement para po sa bata,” he added.

In fact, as of this writing, the Philippines has 178,022 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 114,114 have recovered and 2,883 died.

Meanwhile, the number of active cases is 61,025.