NTF medical expert supports limiting indoor dining to fully vaccinated

MANILA, Philippines — A medical expert and a member of the government’s task force against the coronavirus advised that indoor dining should be limited to fully vaccinated individuals, those with natural immunity, and those who cannot be immunized due to medical conditions.

During the Laging Handa briefing, Dr. Ted Herbosa of the National Task Force against COVID-19 was asked whether he supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that people hesitant to receive a COVID-19 vaccine should be barred inside restaurants and resorts.

“‘Yan ay parang proteksyon natin sa mga kliyente ng isang establishment ‘no. I’m sure ‘yang mga restaurant na ‘yan nag-o-offer ng alfresco or open air for the unvaccinated,” he reacted.

(That’s their protection for their clients. I’m sure restaurants offer alfresco or open air for the unvaccinated.)

“‘Yung ayaw magpabakuna ay payag ako na du’n muna sila sa labas kumain para hindi rin sila makahawa,” he further said.

(Those who refuse a COVID-19 vaccine, I agree to let them eat outside to prevent transmission.)

Aside from fully vaccinated individuals, Herbosa suggested that people with natural immunity from contracting COVID-19 and those who cannot be inoculated due to medical reasons may also be allowed in enclosed dine-in spaces.

“Maganda naman ‘yang policy na ‘yan… So, baka dapat accept din nila ‘yung may pruweba na nag-positive na at hindi pa vaccinated kasi may natural immunity ‘yun. Kung ikaw ay nagka-COVID, na-ICU, kahit hindi ka vaccinated, may antibodies ka. So, safe din ako doon kasama ‘yung mga ganoon,” he explained.

(That’s a good policy… Maybe they can accept those who tested positive without a COVID-19 vaccine because they have a natural immunity. If you have had COVID or went to the ICU, despite vaccination, you have antibodies. So, I’m safe to be with them.)

“The third, ang isa pang etsepuwera diyan, ay ‘yung mga hindi mabakunahan because may allergies sila. So, pwedeng nabigyan lang sila ng one dose pero—so, hindi sila fully vaccinated dahil nag-reaction sila du’n sa injection na ‘yun, dinefer na ng mga doktor ‘yung pagbigay ng second injection kasi baka mamatay pa siya du’n sa reaction niya d’un. So, dapat i-allow din siguro ‘yung those who cannot be vaccinated,” he added.

(The third who are excluded are those who cannot be fully vaccinated because they have allergies. They may have received one dose, so not fully vaccinated because they had a reaction with the vaccine and the doctors deferred the second dose for him/her to be safe. So, maybe they should also be allowed.)

As of November 22, some 33.8 million individuals are fully vaccinated in the country, accounting for 43.88 percent of the country’s target of 77 million people.

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