Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez signed Ordinance No. 1, Series of 2022, that regulates the movement of unvaccinated individuals in the city and provides penalties while Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 until Jan. 31.
Olivarez said the city government now bans the entry of unvaccinated individuals to malls, restaurants, and public transportation under the ordinance which was passed and approved by the City Council.
He said that unvaccinated persons must remain in their residences at all times, except when absolutely necessary.
The City Health Office (CHO) recorded a significant increase in active cases following the recent holiday celebrations. From one active case last December 24, it has since spiked to 548 active cases last January 17.
Olivarez said that based on the ordinance, all COVID-19 cases, including asymptomatic, mild, probable, suspected cases, and close contacts are mandated to undergo quarantine at home or in the city’s isolation facilities if requirements for home quarantine are not met as certified by the CHO.
He said unvaccinated individuals are prohibited in indoor and outdoor/al fresco dining in restaurants or other food establishments located anywhere in the city.
“They (unvaccinated persons) are also prohibited from leisure or social trips to malls, hotels, event venues, sports and country clubs, and similar facilities,” Olivarez said.
Concerned local establishments were encouraged to display near the entrance to their establishments a copy of the ordinance.
The ordinance penalizes individual violators with a fine of P 1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second, and P5,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.
The mayor said that any person who will falsify COVID-19 vaccination cards will be prosecuted under existing city ordinances without prejudice to prosecution under other applicable laws.
Olivarez added that if a violator is found to resist or escape from apprehending authorities, another maximum penalty will be imposed.