Vaccine mandate to be implemented to on-site workers starting Dec. 1
On-site employees working on areas with enough COVID-19 vaccine supply in the Philippines are now required to get inoculated starting December 1, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
This new directive includes public transportation workers who want to continue with their operations.
However, Roque emphasized that unvaccinated individuals will not be terminated from their jobs. Instead, regular RT-PCR or antigen tests will be required at their own expense.
Workers who are ineligible for vaccination must present a medical clearance issued by a government health office or birth certificate as proof.
This new mandate was issued to increase the vaccination demand in the country. Other suggested methods of ramping up inoculation include providing incentives for fully-vaxxed residents and prioritizing them during visits to government agencies.
The IATF also encouraged establishments to refuse service to unvaccinated or partially unvaccinated individuals.
Currently, more than 30 million people are now fully-vaccinated in the Philippines. Another 36 million have already received their first dose of the vaccine.
