Business groups are calling for the implementation of a proposal that will require individuals to present booster cards to get access to establishments and services in the wake of the threat of a new variant of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
These business groups are the Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Retailers Association, Philippine Marketing Association, Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Makati Business Club, Financial Executives Institute, American Chamber of Commerce, European Chamber of Commerce, Indian Chamber of Commerce the Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nangangasiwa ng spa lalawigan Bus sa Pilipinas, as well as groups representing salon/spa owners, amusement park owners, and concert venues/organizers.
The groups have openly supported the proposal of presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion to put an expiry date on existing vaccination cards and replace them with booster cards starting June.
While the proposal might discourage mobility, the booster card requirement will be implemented only after people have had enough time to get their booster shots, or about 60 days from the time the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases finalizes the resolution.
Airline companies and restaurant groups, said they will be promoting boosters through incentives. Other groups are also studying and considering their support.
Under Concepcion’s proposal, all persons regardless of priority category will be allowed to get their booster shots.
Concepcion also proposed booster cards will become the proof of vaccination for use in registering on VAXCERT.PH.
While more than 65 million of Filipinos have fully vaccinated, only 11.8 million individuals have received their boosters.
Concepcion earlier warned the country may experience a surge in COVID-19 cases in the second half of 2022 unless more Filipinos get vaccinated and those eligible for additional doses receive their booster shots.
He said the country cannot afford another lockdown especially with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis that sends oil and commodity prices higher and disrupts the global supply chain.
Concepcion said this does not count the possibility that new variants might emerge especially as the country has opened its borders to more foreign visitors. Irma Isip
