THE PNP yesterday said all travelers entering the National Capital Region (NCR) and the province of Bulacan are required to present their vaccination cards in quarantine checkpoints before they are allowed to cross the boundaries as part of the measures being imposed to prevent the further increase of COVID-19 cases.
“Those without vaccination cards will be barred from entering and will be asked to go back,” PNP chief Dionardo Carlos said.
The PNP said policemen manning checkpoints have been directed to prevent unvaccinated individuals from entering Bulacan and Metro Manila based on measures adopted by local government officials.
“To all our motorists, don’t be surprised if our police personnel will ask for your vaccine cards as an entry requirement by the LGUs like Bulacan and other Metro Manila areas,” said PNP spokesman Col. Roderick Alba.
“We are asking the understanding of our motorists if you are not going to be allowed to enter the border checkpoints in the absence of vaccination cards. That is the instruction given to our personnel,” Alba said, adding: “This is in line with their (local officials) mandate to limit the movement of people, especially in LGUs placed under Alert Level. This is for the good of the general public.”
The NCR and Bulacan, along with Cavite, Laguna and Rizal have been placed under Alert Level 3 until January 15 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases and the increasing threat of the Omicron variant.
In line with the heightened alert level, Metro mayors have agreed to limit the movements of unvaccinated individuals in the region, restricting them to their homes except for necessary trips to health institutions and to purchase medicines, food and other basic necessities.
In Mandaluyong City, the local government announced that all city markets will be closed every Monday starting on January 10 for clean-up and disinfection as a precautionary measure against the deadly virus.
Amid the soaring number of COVID-19 cases, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday urged offices and businesses to go back to work-from-home arrangements for their workers.
In a statement, the DOH said it would be better if on-site work among the private and public sectors would be discouraged and limited for employees.
“Critical, especially during this period of exponential increase in cases, is to encourage work-from-home setup or promote alternative work arrangements, whenever possible,” said the DOH.
As for those that will need on-site work, the health department said it is imperative for establishments to firmly enforce minimum public health standards (MPHS) in the workplace.
By this, the DOH said they must assign and designate health safety officers to remind employees of MPHS as well as to monitor and track symptoms.
It also said that firms must ensure proper ventilation and avoid closed spaces, while shutting down pantries or areas where people can meet up without masks.
Companies are also urged to promote the use of bicycles or walking to the office to avoid exposure in crowded places.
The DOH said they must also comply strictly on inspecting proof of vaccination in premises or business operations where these are required.
It said firms should also facilitate isolation for symptomatic, quarantine for close contacts, and testing of symptomatic employees.
Companies are also asked to provide adequate assistance for individuals who are undergoing quarantine and isolation, such as support for medicine, food, and others.
The DOH encouraged employers to coordinate with the local government unit’s epidemiological and surveillance unit for specific response and reporting guidance. — With Christian Oineza and Gerard Naval
