The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is gearing up supply of face shields in preparation for plans to make wearing this protective gear mandatory.
“We are also adding face shield as a requirement to strengthen the protection up to 99 percent against transmission,” said Ramon Lopez, DTI secretary.
He said for now wearing face shields is encouraged and may be made mandatory in public places and transport, in the near future.
Lopez said the matter has been discussed at the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases.
“This will give time to increase supply if we expect more demand,” Lopez said.
He is not worried though because a lot livelihood groups are making face shields.
A report of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities or as a substitute for masks as it is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles.
“Some people may choose to use a face shield when sustained close contact with other people is expected. If face shields are used without a mask, they should wrap around the sides of the wearer’s face and extend to below the chin,” the report said.
