The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified Thursday, March 3, that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination cards are no longer required in entering malls in Alert Level 1 areas.
DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya stressed that vaccination cards are only required in establishments considered as 3Cs namely closed, crowded, and close-contact venues like restaurants, spas, and cinemas.
“We can sort this confusion out. Let us follow the advice of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Mon Lopez that the vaccination card is not required at the entrance of the mall. It is only required at the exact 3C establishment inside the mall, but not necessarily at the entrance of the mall,” Malaya said in an interview on ANC.
Malaya assured that the DILG will discuss the matter with the local government units (LGUs).
However, there are malls that still require vaccination cards upon entry which Malaya said was fine.
“I think it’s something that they want to do and I don’t see anything wrong about it," he said.
Starting March 1 until March 15, the National Capital Region (NCR) and 38 other areas have been downgraded to Alert Level 1, the least restricted COVID risk classification.
Under Alert Level 1, all establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards.
After nearly three long years under stiff health protocol restrictions, many people flocked to the malls after the downgrading of Alert Level in many parts of the country.