Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday said face shield would serve as additional layer of protection against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) particularly in areas where some people do not observe physical distancing.

“Kung saan ‘yung maraming tao at hindi mo ma-maintain ‘yung two-meter distance kasi dapat two-meter distance so makakatulong ‘yung face shield (Wherever there are a lot of people, and you can’t maintain the two-meter distance, so, face shield can help),” Año said in a television interview.

Año said the use of face shields is also encouraged not only in public transport vehicles but public areas such as markets, hospitals, quarantine facilities, and workplaces.

He said that even inside the house, family members should practice physical distancing and wear face masks to avoid Covid-19 transmission.

“Ang pinaka-importante diyan kung talagang di nila maiwasan, magsuot sila ng mask. Advisable din ‘yung face shield diyan (If physical distancing can’t be practiced, wear face mask. It is also advisable to wear face shield),” Año said.

Año reiterated that staying at home is the best way to prevent the transmission.

He said only authorized persons outside residence (APOR) should only be the ones who can travel.

Metro Manila as well as the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal were placed anew under second most stringent modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 4 to 18 amid the rise of the Covid-19 cases.

Under MECQ, mass public transport is suspended and only APOR are allowed to travel.

As of Aug. 9, the country has recorded 129,913 Covid-19 cases, with 67,673 recoveries and 2,270 deaths. (PNA)