(INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez is urging the government to allow vaccinated individuals to avail of dine-in and personal care services in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
According to Lopez, these services are safer for individuals vaccinated against COVID-19.
He added that there is no expected increase in severe and critical cases with this move.
“I am pushing for allowing vaccinated to allow sa BAWAL sectors—dine-in and personal care,” he said in a text message to INQUIRER.net on Saturday.
“We believe in the vaccine. So we should believe in the vaccinated. And parang (It may be an) incentive to vaxx. To encourage vaccination. With this, we help bring back jobs, open a bit these sectors,” he explained.
Lopez said there is “no need for distinguishing” among the vaccinated and unvaccinated in other businesses and services, such as in malls and public transport.
Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez (YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)
He said the vaccinated and unvaccinated should be allowed in these sectors, otherwise, it will look discriminatory.
Lopez noted that workers in dine-in and personal care services are reeling from pandemic restrictions.
He said that about one million workers are affected while P1.5 billion in revenues are lost per week due to non-operation of dine-in services.
Meanwhile, 200,000 jobs are affected by restrictions in personal care services.
The Trade Secretary made the proposal after the pandemic task force maintained the MECQ status of Metro Manila until September 7.
Fifteen other areas are also placed under MECQ.