Lifting restrictions on unvaxxed up to LGUs – DILG

MANILA, Philippines — It is up to local government officials to decide whether or not to ease restrictions on unvaccinated persons with the lowering of the alert level in areas where new COVID cases are decreasing.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesman Jonathan Malaya said stay-at-home orders and the implementation of the ”no vaccine, no ride” or ”no entry” policy depend on local chief executives.

Aside from Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal, Batanes, Biliran and Southern Leyte were downgraded to Alert Level 2 from Feb. 1 to 15.

The DILG had earlier said local government units (LGUs) could pass ordinances imposing strict measures as more people are expected to troop to malls and other public places with the easing of alert levels.

However, Malaya said restrictions in mobility should be replaced with intensified vaccination to control the spread of the virus.

“The movement of people is something we cannot stop anymore. Meaning, we have to get out of the lockdown mentality,” he said in an interview on OneNews’ Agenda.

Malaya cited the situation in the United Kingdom and many countries in Europe, where residents ”are starting to live with the virus.”

”That is something that we need to do guided by our data and experience,” he said.

Regular RT-PCR test

As this developed, in Pangasinan, unvaccinated workers in both the public and private sectors in San Nicolas town are required to undergo reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test every two weeks at their expense.

In an executive order dated Jan. 31, Mayor Alicia Primicias-Enriquez said workers should present a negative RT-PCR test before they would be allowed to work on site.

If the RT-PCR test result is not immediately available, a rapid antigen test may be used.

Employers shall have the option to provide an unvaccinated employee a grace period of one month to get the first COVID shot.

The biweekly COVID test requirement will be lifted once an employee is fully vaccinated.

Barangay captains are also directed to prepare a monthly inventory of vaccinated residents and indicate whether they are fully vaccinated or have received their first dose or their booster shot.

Residents who are not fully vaccinated shall remain in their residence except to procure essential goods and services. Individual outdoor exercise shall be allowed only within the general area of their residence.

Enriquez cited a memorandum of the DILG, which recognizes the lead role of LGUs to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19 at the local level, in issuing the EO. – Eva Visperas