While pointing out there was no need for such a policy at present, Malacañang said the government will study the suggestion to segregate in workplaces those who were already vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and those who are yet-- or do not want to-- take the jab.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion suggested separating vaccinated individuals from those who are yet to receive the vaccine as vaccination against COVID-19 pick up.
In his press briefing on Monday, June 21, Roque said that the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will study the recommendation aimed to bring the economy back to life.
"Pag-aaralan po natin 'yan dahil all suggestions naman ay dapat pinag-aaralan (We will look into it because all suggestions should be studied in the first place)," he said.
However, the Palace official said that this policy may not be needed at the moment.
"Sa tingin ko po ngayon, dahil 8 million mahigit-kumulang pa lamang ang ating nababakunahan, hindi pa ito yung panahon na para gawin 'yan (I think, because we've only vaccinated around 8 million people, now is not that time for that)," Roque said.
"Pero pag-aaralan po 'yan, lalung-lalo na habang dumarami ang hanay ng mga nababakunahan (But we will study it, especially since more and more people are getting vaccinated)," he added.
In an interview with CNN Philippine early this month, Concepcion said some business executives were already exploring the idea of segregating vaccinated employees and guests from those who have yet-- or refuse-- to receive the shots.
"If there are some employees who have not taken the vaccine or don't want to take the vaccine, we may have to isolate them in another section," he said.
"They are still going to be our employees, but we will have to find a way to protect them from possibly infecting those who have been vaccinated. This is something that we are looking into," he added.
Concepcion said that among the possible areas of separation were elevators, offices, cinemas, and other enclosed spaces where ventilation is poor.
Government data showed that as of June 19, 2021, a total of 2,120,134 individuals have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.