Malacañang reminded business owners to strictly enforce the "No vaccine, no entry" policy, saying their business will be affected if the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country would spike again.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the government's pandemic task force decided to de-escalate Metro Manila to Alert Level 2 from November 5 to 21, 2021.
In his press briefing on Friday, November 5, Roque said that keeping the number of COVID-19 cases in the country at bay is up to the public.
"Government can only formulate policies. Ultimately, kooperasyon ng buong sambayanan po ang kailangan nang makabangon po ang ating ekonomiya at makapag-balik buhay po tayo (we need the public's cooperation to revive the economy and so we can go back to our lies)," he said.
Roque said business owners must also step up to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"Kung kayo ay magpapapasok ng unvaccinated... eh talagang kakalat po uli ang COVID. 'Pag kumalat po ang COVID, aakyat na naman ang alert level natin at magsasara na naman ang mga negosyo (If you will accept unvaccinated customers, COVID-19 will surely spread. If it happens, we will have to escalate alert levels again and you will have to close down again)," he said.
"So sa mga negosyante, kung gusto niyo pong magpauloy na magbukas ang inyong mga establishimento, ipatupad niyo po ang 'No vaccine, no entry' policy (So the businessmen, if you want to keep your businesses running, make sure to implement the 'No vaccine, no entry' policy)," he added.
Based on the latest guidelines for Alert Level 2, businesses are allowed to operate at 50-percent indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below the age of 18 even if they are unvaccinated. They are likewise allowed to operate at 70-percent venue capacity.
Fake vaccine cards
Meanwhile, the Palace official warned the public against faking vaccine cards so they can enter establishments.
"'Pag kayo po ay nameke, kayo po ang nagbibigay ng danyos sa inyong mga buhay (If you are using a fake vaccine card, you are putting your lives at risk)," Roque said.
"This is not just an issue of law enforcement. You are endangering the lives of many including yours," he added.
Roque added that those caught with a fake vaccine card can face jail time.
"Meron din po tayong batas: falsification of public documents at ang vaccination cards po vaccination cards po ay public document. May kulong po 'yan (We have a law about the falsification of public documents and a vaccination card is a public document. You can be jailed for that)," he said.