Davao City became the first local government in the country to remove the mandatory use of face shields as cases of Covid-19 in the city continue to drop.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio signed Executive Order No. 51-A where face shields are recommended for voluntary use in “crowded places, close contact areas, and confined and enclosed spaces.”
The Davao City LGU said on Tuesday the order takes effect “immediately.”
The local government defined “crowded places” as areas where there is a mass gathering of individuals, which includes swab and vaccination sites and evacuation centers.
“Close contact settings” was defined as contact between individuals within six feet of each other for at least 15 minutes, while “confined and enclosed spaces” were described as indoor structures with roof and walls and without open windows.
Meanwhile, while the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Covid-19 is contemplating the continued mandatory use of face shields in confined and enclosed spaces as Covid-19 cases continue to drop in the country.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual briefing that some members of the IATF, whom he did not name, have been pushing for the non-mandatory use of face shields.
However, Roque clarified that the IATF has yet to release a final recommendation for Pres. Duterte’s approval before the mandatory policy of wearing face shields is repealed. – Rommel F. Lopez