Who can go out? DOH says ‘no distinction’ between vaccinated, unvaccinated

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status will not have an affect on whether they may be allowed outdoors during the period of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila.

Based on the discussion among members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), DOH spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire said in an online press briefing that only the authorized persons outside of their residence (APOR) will be allowed out.

“There will be no distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals… No differentiation between vaccinated and unvaccinated. Only the APORs will be allowed outside,” Vergeire said.

Further, she pointed out that there may be legal implications should the movements of unvaccinated individuals be restricted.

On Friday, Malacañang announced that Metro Manila will be placed under ECQ, the government’s strictest quarantine classification, from August 6 to 20, 2021.

In the meantime, Metro Manila will stay under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions this Friday until August 5.

“Wala pa ho tayong sapat na supplies dito sa sa ating bansa para makapagsabi tayo na only vaccinated can go out and the unvaccinated cannot go out,” Vergeire went on.

(We don’t have enough supply of vaccines in the country to say that only vaccinated can go out and the unvaccinated cannot go out.)

“Ibig sabihin doon po sa mga hindi bakunado, meron po diyan na ayaw po talaga nilang magpabakuna, ngunit meron din po diyang gusto niyang magpabakuna pero hindi pa ho siya nakakapag-access ng bakuna,” she added.

(This means that among those who are  unvaccinated, some of them really do not want to get vaccinated but to those who want to, they just can’t access the vaccine now.)

Malacañang said over 7.8 million Filipinos have so far have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

EDV