Private firms can still require face shields

Private establishments in the Philippines are allowed to continue requiring face shields for employees and customers, despite the national government lifting the mandatory mask policy.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles clarified that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases' resolution is without prejudice to the discretion of employers.

This means businesses can still implement their own policies regarding face shield use within their premises.

The previous mandate for face shields, in place for over a year, was lifted by the government on November 15 for areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) issued a resolution on Thursday clarifying this matter.

All previous issuances inconsistent with the memorandum on face shield use have been amended and modified accordingly.