Cayetano: Exempt cyclists, joggers from wearing face shields

BY HANNAH L. TORREGOZA

The biking community found an ally in Senator Pia Cayetano after the triathlete enthusiasts urged the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 to exempt the cyclists and joggers from the mandatory wearing of face shields.

Cayetano threw her support to cyclists and joggers being aware of the danger of wearing face shields, which are now required to be worn in public areas on top of face masks.

“I join the biking community in expressing concerns on the safety of using a face shield while biking,” Cayetano said in a statement.

“As a cyclist on the road, I know how important it is to be fully aware of your surroundings. A face shield could drastically impair one’s vision and perception of space, which may lead to accidents,” she said.

“I ask the IATF to consider exempting cyclists from wearing face shields,” she said.

She also urged the IATF to exempt joggers from the wearing of face shields when jogging in open spaces as this could impair their breathing.

“Moreover, recognizing the role of exercise in promoting mental and physical health, I also ask the IATF to exempt joggers from the requirement when jogging in open spaces, provided they observe social distancing measures,” the senator said.

Malacañang had earlier announced that the use of face masks and full face shields is now mandatory to prevent a potential surge of COVID-19 infections this holiday season. (Hannah L. Torregoza)