House drops COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated guests of Marcos’ Sona

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos delivers his State of the Nation Address in July 2022. (Screengrab from RTVM live streaming)

MANILA, Philippines — Guests at the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, will no longer be asked to undergo health protocols like testing.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco made the announcement on Tuesday.

In an ambush interview after the first coordination meeting for the event, Velasco said unvaccinated individuals are discouraged from attending the event.

However, should they really need to come to Batasang Pambansa, the unvaccinated persons will be asked to submit a negative RT-PCR test result taken 48 hours prior to the occasion as part.

“‘Yong health protocol no, we have been informed na ili-lift na ‘yon. Wala nang antigen requirement,” Velasco said.

(On the health protocol, we have been informed that it will be lifted. There will be no more antigen requirement.)

“Even the health declaration, we will forego that. So, kayong mga media, hindi na rin kayo required do’n,” he added.

(So, even you in the media, you are not required to do that.)

“The only requirement, kunyari may symptoms ka, we will require you to have RT-PCR, or ‘yung mga unvaccinated, and we’ll have a special lane for them,” Velasco specified.

(The only requirement, for example, you have symptoms, we will require you to have RT-PCR, or those who are unvaccinated, and we’ll have a special lane for them.)

“Kasi (because) we don’t want to risk the health of all the guests, and members of Congress, Office of the President, including the President himself,” he explained.

Velasco also clarified guests will still be required to present their vaccination cards or vaccination certificates, but they will not require all of the four COVID-19 vaccine shots.

He said the primary vaccinations will do.

In 2022, during the Chief Executive’s first Sona, the number of guests were increased from previous years.

They were required to present negative RT-PCR test results.

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