National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 Special Medical Adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa on Wednesday, Nov. 24, backed President Rodrigo Duterte's proposal to limit unvaccinated persons from entering restaurants.

"Yan ay para proteksyon natin sa mga kliyente ng isang establishment. I'm sure yang mga restaurant na yan nag-o-offer ng al fresco, open air for the unvaccinated. Kung ang kanilang lugar ay enclosed lang, I think it's a safe policy na i-allow lang ang mga vaccinated para may proteksyon yung mga kliyente nila (That's for the protection of the clients of an establishment. I'm sure some restaurants offer al fresco or open air for the unvaccinated. If their place is enclosed, I think it's a safe policy to only allow the vaccinated for the protection of their clients)," Herbosa reiterated.
"Kasi kung ako kakain sa isang public restaurant, syempre ang mga gusto kong kasama ko ay yung fully vaccinated kasi tinatanggal ko yung mask ko pag kumakain sa isang public place (Because if I eat at a public restaurant, of course the ones I want with me are the fully vaccinated ones because I remove my mask when eating in a public place)," he added.
Herbosa also recommended that indoor dining should also be limited to those with natural immunity against COVID-19 and those who cannot be immunized due to medical conditions.
The medical expert added that he supports proposals to restrict unvaccinated children from going to malls for leisure activities, noting that they are still susceptible to the virus.
"Kung ako ang tatanungin, payag akong i-restrict o i-regulate ang pagpasok ng maliliit na bata below 11 sa ating mga mall for leisure unless talagang kailangan (If you ask me, I favor restricting or regulating the entry of young children below 11 to our malls for leisure unless absolutely necessary."
On Tuesday, Duterte defended the right of restaurants to turn away unvaccinated customers, saying they are potential spreaders of COVID-19.
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