BY GLENDA TAYONA AND IME SORNITO
ILOILO City – Face shields are no longer required outdoors except when going to closed and crowded areas, or joining activities that promote close contact, according to President Rodrigo Duterte.
But the Department of Health (DOH) said there is a need to revise first the previous joint memorandum circular (JMC) that mandated the use of such.
According to Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, spokesperson of DOH Region 6, under the new guidelines, which the DOH is currently drafting, the use of face shields will be limited in “high-risk” areas.
“Gina-check naton kon diin gid dapat kita nagagamit face shield,” said Natalaray.
DOH undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said it was also recommended to retain the use of face shields in indoor dining establishments – except when eating – and in indoor or outdoor gatherings or settings that promote close contacts such as personal care services like salon or massage services.
LCES SUPPORTIVE
Local chief executives in Iloilo province backed the President’s pronouncement.
According to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., there are places that people do need to wear face shields.
“For example kon nagalakat kaw da sa sidewalk,” he cited.
However, Defensor said face shields are important, especially when riding public utility vehicles or in places like hospitals.
Mayor Macario Napulan of Miag-ao, Iloilo also favors ditching face shields outdoors.
“Kon outdoor kag wala tawo, wala ka sang upod or ma-exercise kaw, okay ‘na ‘ya. Pero kon sa crowded (places) necessary nga magsuksok sang face shield,” said Napulan, a physician.
Igbaras’ Mayor Jaime Esmeralda agreed.
“Okay nga dulaon kay ang chances nga maka-transmit sang virus is very minimal in open spaces. We know kon ano ka-vulnerable ang virus sa init kag sa sagwa,” said Esmeralda, also a doctor.
Like LCEs, people also favor not wearing a face shield in open spaces like alias Lenie of Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City who no longer wears a face shield when going out to buy from nearby a sari-sari store.
“Kon maggwa ako nagasuksok pa ako face shield pero kon sa amon lang tuya sa gwa sang balay wala na kay wala man gawa tawo,” she said.
This was also the reaction of Jessa Camacho of Cabatuan, Iloilo.
When she goes to the mall or takes a jeepney to work, she wears a face shield as “social distancing is barely observed.”
But in open areas like the Iloilo River Esplanade, she does not wear it.
For Camacho, everyone should be aware of where to use the face shield./PN
