NCR mayors to impose stricter measures on individuals sans COVID-19 vaccine

MANILA, Philippines —Metro Manila mayors have agreed to impose stricter measures on individuals who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 amid spiking coronavirus cases, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos said on Monday.

Under Alert Level 3, Abalos said that unvaccinated individuals must remain in their residences at all times except during the procurement of goods and services.

“Para  kang nag-ECQ only for the unvaccinated for their own protection,” he said.

“Dapat nasa bahay lang sila. Pwede silang lumabas kung bibili lang sila ng essential goods and services,” he added.

(They must stay at home. They can only go out to purchase and avail of essential goods and services.)

Individual outdoor activities, however, are allowed regardless of vaccination status, Abalos said.

The Metro Manila mayors have likewise decided to prohibit the unvaccinated in indoor and outdoor dining areas, leisure or social trips to malls, hotels, events venues, sports and country clubs, and similar establishments.

Unvaccinated people are also restricted from domestic travel via public transportation except in procuring goods and services.

Abalos reiterated that a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is required every two weeks for unvaccinated workers at their own expense for them to be allowed for on-site work.

An antigen test may be conducted, should the result of the RT-PCR test not be immediately available, Abalos noted.

The said measures will also apply to individuals outside NCR but who work or travel to Metro Manila.

According to Abalos, the imposition of the said measures is only temporary.

“This resolution shall be enforced and in effect while the COVID-19 alert level in the National Capital Region is at Alert Level 3 or higher, and shall be automatically lifted once Alert Level 2 or lower is declared,” he said.

“So, ito po’y napagbotohan in principle na mga mayors pumayag sila. Kaso ito’y inaayos lang namin, subject to form and style,” Abalos pointed out.

(So, this is agreed upon by the mayors but is still being finalized, subject to form and style.)

Under IATF guidelines on Alert Level 3, intrazonal and interzonal travel are subject to “reasonable restrictions” that may be imposed by local government units.

Individuals aged 18 and those belonging in the vulnerable population are likewise allowed to travel to avail of essential goods and services and for work.

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