OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said that Metro Manila may begin to reopen the economy once it has vaccinated 25 percent to 30 percent of its population.

He said that aside from decreasing Metro Manila's number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases and hospital utilization rate to a "very manageable" and safe level, and ensuring the positivity rate remains below 5 percent, the vaccination rollout is also one of the indicators in considering the reopening of the economy.

David noted that the country is currently averaging 270,000 jabs per day.

"Our target is 25 to 30 percent of vaccination in the NCR. Minimum yan (That is the minimum), not yet population protection. What we are seeing in other countries, once they reach 25-30 percent nagdedecrease na talaga ang cases (cases are decreasing). especially our behavior, generally we are wearing face mask social distancing, definitely we can start accelerating our economic recovery," David said in a One News interview on Tuesday, June 29.

"Once we reach 25 to 30 percent , definitely we can start possibly opening up with a cautious shift to the next normal," he said.

He cited that some countries that reached 50 to 60 percent of COVID vaccinations have fully reopened their economies.

"Sa ibang countries, ang nangyayari kapag they reach 50-60 percent ...talagang binuksan na nila . Children are allowed to go out. Minsan nagkakaroon ng spikes in cases because children are getting infected dahil hindi pa sila vaccinated although most of the time mild naman. (In other countries, what happens is that when they reach 50-60 percent vaccinations...they really open up the economy. They allow children to go out. Sometimes there are spikes in cases because children are not vaccinated and they get infected, although it is usually mild)," he explained.

David said the vaccination of children should already be discussed by the government.

"Pero that's a good point of discussion. Okay na ba sa atin yun? If we reach 50 percent, do we allow children to go out na and resume classes knowing na some of them will catch the virus and possibly get sick (But that’s a good point of discussion. Is that okay with us? If we reach 50 percent, do we allow kids to go out and continue classes knowing that some of them will catch the virus and possibly get sick)," he pointed out.

He stressed that this should be discussed as part of the country's shift to the "next normal."