Quarantine passes are set to be required for individuals leaving their homes as the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was re-imposed to prevent the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) Delta variant transmission in Metro Manila from August 6 to 20, a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) official said Monday, August 2.
In a news briefing, DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya confirmed that the local government units (LGUs) had informed the department of their intention to require quarantine passes for people leaving their homes to go to the vaccination sites, stores to purchase their necessities or enroute to the drug stores to buy medicines.
He noted that Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairman and Parañaque mayor Edwin Olivarez and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin Abalos will officially announce issues on the on quarantine passes requirement, unified curfew hours and liquor bans with ECQ soon to be imposed in Metro Manila.
Meanwhile in an interview over CNN Philippines, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año stressed the urgency for a weekly 24-hour COVID-19 vaccination a day in Metro Manila to prevent the surge of the virus.
He added that the LGUs may render overtime work and set evening schedules for the vaccinations with the looming ECQ restrictions in Metro Manila.
“As soon as possible, kailangan talaga natin 'yan (24-hour COVID-19 vaccination). Ito ay isa sa pinakamagandang paraan para mapabagal at ma-address ang transmission,” he said when asked if he would push for 24/7 vaccination (As soon as possible, we really need that. This is one of the best ways to slow down and address the transmission),’’ Año said.
The DILG chief added that the goal is to administer four million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Metro Manila with the “24/7 Walang Tulugang Bakunahan (Intensified Vaccination)” will be done during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine from August 6 to 20. (Chito A. Chavez)