Mall security personnel should ensure that unvaccinated individuals are barred entry from dine-in establishments, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año insisted.
Año stressed that this is necessary to prevent or at least lessen the chances of a coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) surge after it was observed that there are dining establishments not forcing the mandated health protocols required for dine in customers, specifically the showing of COVID-19 vaccination cards.
“Mas maganda po sa entrance pa lamang ng mall ay i-check na natin (vaccination cards). Ngayon ang hinihigpitan po natin ay iyong mga certain establishments within the mall (It is much better that the vaccination cards are checked right from the entrance. Now we are going to be strict on certain estab;ishments within the mall),’’ Año said in a GMA News report.
Año reiterated that malls’ security personnel should strictly check the vaccination cards of their patrons to ensure that proper health protocols are observed to counter negligent dining establishments that fail to religiously impose the no vaccine, no dine entry rule.
The national capital region (NCR) where the Alert level system was piloted is under alert level 2 until the end of the month where minors accompanied by fully-vaccinated adults are allowed entry in leisure areas like malls.
However, the eased restrictions in Metro Manila have turned into a nightmare with the malls and other recreational areas filled with huge crowds which included teenagers below 18 years old and toddlers.
With these instances that may prove disastrous, President Duterte called on the local government units (LGUs) to pass ordinances that would ban children aged 12 and below from public spaces as they remain unvaccinated against COVID-19.
On Nov. 17, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya noted that more LGUs are crafting ordinances that set limits on the minors allowed in public places.
“So, si Secretary (Eduardo) Año po ay kinausap na ang mga mayor at sila ay inatasan na pag-aralan na po itong bagay na ito ( So, Secretary Año talked to mayors and told them to study this matter),’’ Malaya said.
Malaya noted that the DILG supports the LGUs’ call to pass ordinances meant to limit the minors’ movement as some localities have already created these executive orders. (Chito A. Chavez)