Although the number of clients at the barbershop where Benjie Galit works is still sluggish, he hopes that revenue will continue after the government last week allowed some businesses, including barbershops, to open.
There are only two chairs in Galit’s small barbershop and to follow the physical distancing against COVID-19, they will be replaced by the duty of another hairstylist.
He said they strictly follow health protocols but he asked when they will be vaccinated as economic frontliners because the safety of him and his family also depends on it.
“Gustong-gusto kong magpabakuna kasi ‘yon ang pinaka-protekta sa sarili namin e saka sa mga kasama ko sa bahay tapos ngayon hindi pa namin alam kung kailan ang schedule,” said Galit.
Rustica Alano’s restaurant is also open again for dine-in with a limited number of customers.
Alano also expects his staff in the cafeteria to be vaccinated, especially since they meet a lot of people every day as economic frontliners.
“Gusto namin. Lahat kami may form na inaantay na lang namin ang tawag para kami ay mabakunahan,” said Alano.
Economic frontliners wish they would be vaccinated immediately
The health protocols at Jay Villanueva’s resto-bar are also strict, but it will be different if the staff has a vaccine.
“Dapat they should consider na ‘yong staff na nagtatrabaho doon should be vaccinated on time kasi ‘pag hindi, ‘yan na naman ang magiging cause ng paglala ng virus,” said Villanueva.
Currently, local governments are finalizing the vaccination of those in the A1 category or health workers, A2 or senior citizens, and A3 or those with comorbidity.
The A4 category or the economic frontliners need to be more careful while waiting for their vaccine.
“Mask, hugas, iwas at pagdating po ng bakuna, idagdag ang bakuna,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) stressed the need to open up the country’s economy despite the challenges of the pandemic.
The deployment of the COVID-19 vaccination program needs to be expedited, said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua.
According to NEDA, the economy needs to be strengthened to reach the growth target of 6.5 to 7.5 for 2021.
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