All persons who want to actively participate in supporting their candidates need to present their proof of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccination documents, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Tuesday, Mar. 1.
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan said that those going to campaign rallies, caucus and other similar election-related activities should bring their vaccination cards issued by the local government units (LGUs) or vaxcert.ph digital certificates.
In a news briefing, Malaya reminded the concerned parties that these are the only two coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccination proofs that will be accepted by the law enforcement authorities.
“So paalala rin po sa ating mga kababayan na under the Comelec (Commission on Election) Resolution 10732, under Alert Level 1, allowed po up to 70 percent of the operational capacity of the venue whether indoor or outdoor (So we also remind the public that 70 percent operational capacity of the venue whether indoor or outdoor are allowed in Alert Level 1 areas under Comelec Resolution 10732),’’ Malaya explained.
“We are now coordinating with the Comelec kung papaano po ang kanilang instructions sa mga deputized agencies on the enforcement of this resolution of the IATF and the Comelec resolution (on how the deputized agencies should enforce the IATF and Comelec resolutions),’’ he added.
Under Alert Level 1 areas, Malaya said enforcement of ‘typical’ police policies like ‘checkpoints’ are suspended and what should be practiced is discipline at the level of the LGUs, establishments, offices down to the individual.
With the pronouncement, Malaya appealed to the LGUs to enforce the face mask requirements since it is the most powerful protection of an individual against the virus.
He also urged the LGUs to continue focusing the vaccination of individuals under the A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (people with comorbidities) categories, minors and inoculating boosters to fully-vaccinated persons.
“They (LGUs) should also ensure their establishments are fully vaccinated in their areas of jurisdiction,’’ Malaya said.
The DILG spokesperson also urged the establishment owners to help the government enforce the health protocol mandates and prevent those without face masks from entering their premises.
“Check po nila (establishment personnel) yung (the) vaccination status ng kanilang mga kliyente. Siguruhin nila na lahat ng empleyado nila ay bakunado (of their clients. Ensure that all their employees are vaccinated),’’ Malaya stressed.
Malaya also insisted that the establishment owners should find ways to have a continuous airflow inside and to conduct routine and relentless disinfection of often crowded or high risk areas of their premises.