The Diocese of Balanga in Bataan on Thursday said it has followed the government’s policy on the use of face shields as an additional safety measure amid the coronavirus disease Covid-19) pandemic.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said they have implemented the wearing of face shields and face masks among the churches’ personnel.

“As we make our Diocesan parish greeters and usherettes as sanitation committee, it is compulsory for them to wear face masks and face shields especially for lay ministers of Holy Communion. Here, it is must to wear face masks during Holy Mass. We adapt here 3M: must masks for mass,” he said in an interview.

He added that they will also impose the mandatory use of face shields for churchgoers.

“We encourage our parishioners to wear face shields. But as we are monitoring in Bataan the increase of Covid-19 positive (cases), we will adopt (the) compulsory wearing of face shields,” he said.

Santos that they also provided face shields for personnel of their diocesan schools.

Meanwhile, Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said they will follow what the barangay will tell them as far as the policy on wearing of face shields is concerned.

“Our requirement is to wear face masks but if the requirement of the barangay is to wear face shield, we will follow,” he added.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, meanwhile, said they are ready to comply with the government’s safety and health protocols.

Starting on Saturday (August 15), wearing of face shields aside from face masks will be mandatory in public transportation and in work places. (PNA)