Gov't to rethink face shield policy due to COVID-19 Omicron variant threat

The national government is looking into the possibility of returning the requirement of wearing face shields following the threats from the COVID-19 Omicron variant, which is a new coronavirus variant of concern, according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez.

"We will look at the possibility. 'Yan ang inaano ni (Health) Sec (Francisco) Duque. He is pro na maibalik ang any protections na puwede natin gamitin kasi some people from WHO (World Health Organization) also believe that kaya nagkaroon ng magandang result sa Delta as to others because of the protection of face shield," said Galvez during a virtual presser with reporters.

(He backs returning any protections that we need to use because some people from WHO believe that we had a good result from Delta because of face shield protection.)

On placing Metro Manila under Alert Level 1 in December, Galvez said, "We will reconsider 'yung plan na 'yun (that plan) considering na may ongoing uncertainties with Omicron."

No Omicron variant case, which is believed to be contagious, reported in the Philippines so far, Galvez added.

Asked if Sputnik Light was approved as a booster shot, Galvez said Sputnik Light, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer as well as Moderna were all approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used for additional doses.

President Rodrigo Duterte had allowed face shields to be optional for Alert Level 3, 2, and 1 but it is still required for Alert level 5 areas. — DVM, GMA News