Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4) — A full house is expected on July 24 at the Batasang Pambansa for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) as organizers ease COVID-19 health protocols for vaccinated guests.
“Wala nang antigen requirements. Even yung health declaration, we’ll forego that,” House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said on Tuesday. “The only requirement, kunwari may symptoms ka, then we will require you to have the RT-PCR, or yung mga unvaccinated, we’ll have a special lane for them.”
[Translation: No more antigen requirements. Even the health declaration, we’ll forego that. The only requirement, suppose you have symptoms, then we will require you to have an RT-PCR test, or those who are unvaccinated, we’ll have a special lane for them.]
Guests will be asked to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and the vaccinated will no longer need to take an antigen test or fill out health declaration forms before the event.
Unvaccinated attendees, however, will have to take an RT-PCR test at least 48 hours before heading to Batasang Pambansa.
Wearing of face masks will be optional.
Velasco said the plenary hall is expected to be packed with guests, which will show that the country is “back to normal” after grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic for over three years.
“We have received requests from all sectors: business, Cabinet departments, even former congressmen. They all want to attend and bring their mayors, governors, so we expect a bigger crowd than last year,” he said.
Velasco said there may be an overflow area in case the plenary hall, which can accommodate up to 2,000 people, can no longer take in more visitors.
