MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said Friday it is not yet time for a “no vaccine, no entry” policy in establishments considering many have yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccine doses. This, even if it also lauded the looming implementation of such a stricter rule in Cebu.
“I commend Mayor Ahong [Junard Chan] of Lapu-Lapu for this innovation. Pero siguro po hindi pa napapanahon kasi ‘yung mga ganyang restrictions po pinapatupad ng mga bansang France at ilang parte ng Estados Unidos kasi nakabakuna na sila ng more than 50 percent of their population,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.
(I commend Mayor Ahong of Lapu-Lapu City for this innovation. But this is not yet the time for that kind of restriction that is being implemented in countries like France and parts of the United States since they already vaccinated more than 50 percent of their population.)
Starting August 25, Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu will bar persons who have yet to receive COVID-19 vaccines from entering shopping malls, convenience and grocery stores, and public markets.
READ: City mayors in Cebu impose stricter curbs
“I commend that pero, while we commend that move, while we recognize your innovation, siguro antayin muna natin na at least 50 percent ng ating population ay mabakunahan. I hope you understand po, dahil kung karamihan naman ay hindi bakunado, di makapunta ng mga pamilihan, paano sila kukuha ng kanilang kakainin?” he continued.
(While we commend that move, while we recognize your innovation, maybe we should wait for when at least 50 percent of our population gets vaccinated. I hope you understand because if many people are still not vaccinated, they cannot go to groceries, how will they buy their needs?)
After Lapu-Lapu City residents criticized the no vaccine, no entry rule in establishments, Mayor Junard Chan said the local government will study the issue further.
To date, at least 9 million individuals in the country have already been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.