Senate Committee on Health and Demography chair Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday called on Filipinos to continue to adhere to basic Covid-19 health and safety protocols as the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed all establishments to operate at full capacity.
"As we continue to battle COVID-19, everyone should be vigilant. It's crucial to understand that the health protocols will only work if everyone follows the rules and works together,” Go said in a statement.
"Huwag tayong makumpiyansa. Huwag nating sayangin ang magandang takbo ng ating pandemic response at vaccine rollout. Mas palakasin pa natin ang pagbabakuna lalo na ng booster shots para hindi na tumaas muli ang kaso ng nagkakasakit (Let’s not be complacent. Let’s not waste the gains of our efficient pandemic response and vaccine rollout. Let’s intensify the vaccination especially for booster shots so that the number of cases won’t rise),” he stressed.
Go reiterated his call after the IATF, last Saturday, June 4, "amended the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level Systems for COVID-19 as the government pandemic task force recognizes the need to further identify the establishments and/or activities which are allowed to operate, or be undertaken in Alert Level 1."
Having said this, the guideline is subject to presentation of proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings or entry into indoor establishments.
“Para naman sa gobyerno at mga namamahala ng mga pampublikong establisimento, ipatupad po natin ng maayos ang patakaran nang walang pili o pinapanigan (For the governmnet and those who manage public establishments, please make sure that rules and guidelines are followed strictly and without favor),” Go said.
“Nakasaad na requirement ang pagpapakita ng proof of full vaccination sa lahat ng nais pumasok sa mga establishments kaya sundin po natin ito (The requirement for all is to show proof of full vaccination before entering establishments so please let us follow this rule),” he added.
With this, Go then appealed to the national and local officials to speed up the vaccine rollout, particularly the provision of booster shots.
Likewise, he renewed his call for all Filipinos who are eligible to get immunized to do so as soon as possible. He also said those who are qualified to obtain their booster doses to give them an extra layer of protection against the virus.