Interior Secretary Eduardo Año announced on Monday that face shields will be implemented again on the occasion that the Omicron variant enters the Philippines. This requirement is for "added protection" as higher alert levels will also be imposed as the need arises.

Face shields will be implemented again in the occasion that the Omicron variant enters the PH. | IMG Source: Omicron

This proposal is due to the looming threat of the new variant that plunged the stock market. The face shield policy was lifted mid-November. Currently, wearing it is voluntary in areas under Alert Level 2. Only places under Alert Level 5 are required to wear face shields. 

Año also noted that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is in favor of imposing measures against the virus as deemed necessary. 

A couple of months prior, a UP engineer stated that face shields are counterproductive as their structure traps airborne particles. On the contrary, local health experts support its value for protection. 

There have been no detected cases of the Omicron variant yet in the Philippines. The government has suspended flights from South Africa, Botswana, and other countries with cases to prevent the variant's entry.