Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 18) — The public and private sectors are urged to prepare for the country’s “next normal,” which will be marked by greater mobility and opening up of more industries as the government accelerates its COVID-19 vaccination program.
In a statement, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion is pushing for the issuance of vaccine passes (which for now could be the cards issued by local governments), exemption for fully vaccinated individuals from getting an RT-PCR test when traveling domestically and allowing restaurants and other establishments compliant with health protocols to go beyond capacity limitations and to accept more vaccinated customers.
Concepcion said they have been meeting with the OCTA research group and Dr. Edsel Salvaña, a member of the Department of Health’s technical advisory group, to discuss the matter and align strategies and proposals to push for more mobility and access to fully vaccinated individuals.
“We have to give the vaccinated population greater mobility as soon as we achieve the minimum of population protection. Doing so will go a long way in reviving some of our battered sectors,” the Go Negosyo founder said.
He once again floated the idea of separating the vaccinated from those who are not yet, especially in high-risk areas like movie theaters and bars. However, some public officials have raised ethical and discrimination issues.
Concepcion also noted that these proposals are also a form of incentive to encourage more Filipinos to get their vaccine. Additionally, this would help in achieving the government’s target to inoculate 50% to 60% of the population this year, he said.
On the entry of foreign tourists, he said he supports granting entry to those coming from countries where at least half of the population had been vaccinated and those fully immunized. A seven-day quarantine will not be needed and only a swab test upon arrival will be required, he suggested.
The presidential adviser expressed optimism that government will achieve its vaccination target and give Filipinos a better Christmas this year.
“Population protection is a waypoint, a phase, on our way to herd immunity when we can already optimize the reopening of our economy. When we apply this, we can be more efficient in approaching this pandemic, safely ease into economic recovery, and have a better chance of winning through it,” Concepcion said.
Latest government data show that almost 7 million vaccine doses have been administered and 1.8 million Filipinos have received two doses of their COVID-19 shot.
