The private sector and the Department of Trade and Industry are pushing for the use of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) “vaccine pass” for the entry of customers into indoor establishments such as restaurants.
According to Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, he is pushing for a standard vaccine pass that establishments can use to entice the population to get vaccinated.
That is, it will allow some restaurants to accept customers with a vaccine passport.
“[For example] I would like to go to a restaurant… They have to have strict rules, I will enter there, kung everyone there [has] taken the vaccine,” said Concepcion.
Some consumers are against it, like Butch Madera and Ed Tandog.
“Very discriminatory in nature ‘yan. Paano ang galing probinsiya, di makakapasok dito dahil walang silang vaccine passport?” said Madera.
“Hindi tama ‘yun eh kasi marami akong kakilala na ayaw magpabakuna eh,” said Tandog.
Concepcion stressed that there is a need to be vaccinated and having it will help to entice people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they want to go indoor dining or shopping for example.
‘Vaccine pass’ to enter some indoor establishments urged
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez confirmed that they plan to issue a vaccine pass.
“Yes. That has been in the plan as discussed with the restaurant group, and being studied as to timing and protocols. The new variants still pose risks so we need to reopen indoors very gradually.”said Lopez.
According to the data, up to 2.5 million people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
In total, about 2 million were vaccinated with the first dose while more than 514,000 were “fully vaccinated” or have been vaccinated with the 2nd dose of the vaccine.
Experts have previously urged to speed up the vaccination drive to speed up the opening up of the pandemic-affected economy.
Meanwhile, the mega vaccination facility in Nayong Pilipino continues despite various controversies surrounding the project.
“Just the MOA to be signed and that MOA (memorandum of agreement) is forthcoming, just a few minor technical edits being done. It’s already been vetted by the Department of Tourism, been vetted by the Department of Health. It’s now going through our Government Corporate Counsel. Just a few minor edits and then it will be signed very, very soon,” said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.
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