The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are already working together for a COVID-19 vaccine passport that can be used on the journey of those who have completed the vaccine, according to Malacañang.
According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, having a “uniform passport” that everyone can recognize will help domestic and even international travel.
“Talagang makakatulong ‘yan hindi lang sa domestic travel pati sa international travel. At sinasabi ko nga siguro magkakaroon ng uniform passport na kikilalanin ng lahat,” said Roque.
Roque also believes that the vaccine passport will be the way to return to normal.
DOH- Disease Prevention and Control Bureau Dir. Nikka Hao said they are already in contact with the World Health Organization, the Department of Health, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Palace favors vaccine passports for vaccinated Pinoys
The vaccine passport is similar to the “Yellow Passport” that must be presented by those entering South Africa, proof that a traveler has been vaccinated against “Yellow Fever.”
Meanwhile, the official added that data collection and verification between countries still need to be ironed out.
He added that having a ‘vaccine passport’ will speed up travel to various destinations.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified Wednesday that Davao City is not the new “epicenter” of COVID-19 in the Philippines.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH discourages the use of “epicenter” to describe a COVID-19 surge in an area.
“Epicenter, in relation to epidemics, are interpreted by some to refer to an area as the source of the infection. It is also meant to connote the area as a hotspot for the infection,” she told reporters.
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