RIATF, RTF-Cordillera ask LGUs to regulate unvaxxed mobility

Baguio City, Kalinga – The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Infectious Diseases and the Cordillera Regional Task Force, in a joint resolution, asked the Local Government Units in the region to enact their respective ordinances to regulate the mobility of unvaccinated residents as a preventive measure against the more contagious Omicron variant.

This came after a directive from President Rodrigo Duterte, ordering all local government officials, regardless of alert levels over the area, to ensure that non-jabbed residents remain inside their residences except when procuring essential goods and services such as food and medical services.

Under Joint Resolution No. 01, series of 2022, the RIATF stated that mobility of unvaccinated individuals who are at risk to severe cases of Omicron Covid-19 variant must be regulated in order to prevent community transmission and to avoid overwhelming the healthcare facilities.

RIATF explained in the resolution that “restriction of mobility of unvaccinated individuals is intended for the protection of public health and promotion of general welfare and also to accelerate the growth of the economy.”

RIATF said that only 52 percent of the Cordillera region’s eligible population were fully immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine. The resolution stated that despite the availability of more vaccine supply in the region, many individuals still refused to get jabbed, making them susceptible to severe cases of the COVID-19 virus, which may lead to a surge of admitted cases in hospitals.

‘There are a number of individuals who adamantly opt not to be vaccinated and thus, become more susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection which will, in turn, require hospital care thereby unduly burdening the health care facilities to the detriment of public health,’ the resolution states.

Said ordinance also meant to encourage unvaccinated residents, including those aged 12 to 17, to get fully jabbed as a way to ward off the pandemic.

Unvaccinated individuals shall be allowed outside their residences only for essential travels and activities “subject to production of proof to support and justify such travel.”

Working unvaccinated individuals are also required to show negative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test ‘every two weeks at their personal expense’ before entering their offices.

OTHER NEWS

'Omicron possibly entered Baguio'- Mayor Magalong

Follow Guru Press Cordillera on Facebook for more News and Information