Newborn babies wear face shields to protect them against coronavirus at Indonesian hospital

A number of hospitals in Indonesia have implemented a new policy of the use of face protective equipment for newborn babies in a bid to prevent coronavirus infection.

Footage from the BMC Hospital in Padang City in West Sumatra province on Monday (April 20) shows a newborn being immediately fitted with a face shield.

Dr. Afdal, who handles a number of newborns, said the hospital was trying to be preventive, so they can be sure all newborn babies are healthy.

"We do not know whether the child's parents or the environment are exposed to COVID-19 or not.

So this is our step to protect the baby from the spread of the virus," Afdal said.