MANDAUE City has long been implementing the ‘no vaccination card, no entry’ policy, except that establishments there have not been closely monitored.
This from Lizer Malate, head of the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), when asked about the controversy involving Cebu City’s strict implementation of the rule.
Malate said the policy that requires individuals to present their vaccination cards upon entering establishments in Mandaue has been existing since November 2021.
“This has been existing but of course we can’t monitor if the establishments are strictly implementing this. But they know that they should since it’s there. That has been there since before. I don’t know why that’s being made a big deal now,” he said in Cebuano.
Malate said everyone should focus on approaches in managing Covid-19 such as the augmentation of healthcare facilities.
“Let’s not be too strict with the establishments because we won’t be able to move on if that’s the mindset from the beginning,” said Malate, adding that Mandaue City has already vaccinated more than its target number of the population.
Despite the threat of the Omicron variant, Malate said the rise in Covid-19 cases is normal as this has also been happening in other countries.
Starting Wednesday, January 19, 2022, only individuals fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease, ages 12 and above, will be allowed to enter malls and other indoor venues and establishments in Cebu City.
This, after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issued Executive Order 157 called ‘Puyo Gihapon’ to limit the movements of people due to the surge in active Covid-19 cases in the city to 3,822 on Jan. 18, from just four last January 1.
However, fully vaccinated minors ages 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or responsible adult, provided that minors entering indoor venues for purposes of vaccination shall be allowed.
Minors aged 11 and below are strictly prohibited from entering the malls even if they tag along with their parents or guardians.
People are now required to present their vaccination cards before entering the malls, especially in downtown Cebu City, where malls have started posting “no vaccine, no entry” notices in their vicinity.