Booster card requirement for entry pushed

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion yesterday floated the idea of mandatory presentation of booster cards in establishments under Alert Level 1 to encourage more people to get their shots.

At a public briefing aired yesterday, Concepcion said there are still some people hesitant to get their booster doses.

“I think we should try to encourage them by mandating they show the booster vaccine cards upon entry in the areas that are Alert Level 1 and those areas that have finished already primary doses,” the Go Negosyo founder said.

Metro Manila and 38 other areas are now under Alert Level 1 or the most relaxed pandemic alert classification, with public transportation and establishments allowed to operate at full capacity, from March 1 to March 15.

Under Alert Level 1, proof of vaccination is required for individuals 18 years old and above before entering closed, crowded or close-contact establishments.

Concepcion earlier proposed to require booster cards to be presented in establishments in areas where booster rollouts are high.

He said private sector firms that purchased vaccines are encouraging employees to get their boosters.

“Since we have bought a lot of vaccines for our boosters and we want employees to take the shots, many in the mid-sector are taking the booster shots,” he said.

He maintained that booster shots are important for building immunity against COVID-19.

Following the shift to Alert Level 1, he said businesses are seeing higher sales.

He said the reopening of the economy is also giving confidence to banks to lend to small and medium enterprises that need to recapitalize or restructure their obligations.

With the Ukraine-Russia conflict driving an increase in prices of fuel and other commodities, he said the eased restrictions would enable the country to weather the impact of the crisis.

“So 2022, I am still very optimistic because we are able to control the infection level and we are now at Alert Level 1. What we have to do is Alert Level 1 for the rest of the year,” he said.