Making and Sourcing Face Shields in the Philippines

Face shields are soon to be required as additional personal protective equipment (PPE) for people using public transportation across the Philippines.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) directive released on August 5 takes effect on August 15, 2020, and will be required of drivers, conductors, and passengers in all public transportation on roads, railways, airplanes, and the seas.

Face shields will be used over face masks that have been mandatory PPE for everyone going out in public amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has put the entire country under various stages of community quarantine.

“The initiative aims to further reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in public transport facilities as health authorities have pointed out that the use of face shields and masks reduces exposure to and emission of respiratory droplets considerably,” explained the DOTr of its new directive.

While face masks have been mandatory for the public since lockdowns were implemented beginning March, face shields have mostly been used by frontline workers in medical facilities and security outposts.

To offer better protection against exposure to coronavirus disease the face masks and face shields need to follow good design.

Good News Pilipinas found a Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Face Mask and Face Shield design from the University of the Philippines and a fabrication laboratory network that creates face shields and other PPEs in collaboration with doctors.