Olivarez

Parañaque limits mobility of unvaxxed persons

January 18, 2022 Edd Reyes 338 views

THE Paranaque City government officially banned the entry of unvaccinated individuals in malls, restaurants, and public transportation beginning Tuesday following the approval of an ordinance.

“Persons not vaccinated for COVID-19 shall remain in their residences at all times, except when absolutely necessary,” said Mayor Edwin Olivarez after signing the ordinance.

Ordinance No. 1, series of 2022, regulates the movement of unvaccinated individuals in the territorial jurisdiction of Paranaque while under alert level and provides penalties for violations thereof. Metro Manila is now under the stricter Alert Level 3 until January 31.

The City Health Office (CHO) recorded a significant increase in active cases following the celebration of the holidays and New Year’s Eve. From one active case last December 24, it has since spiked to 548 active cases last January 17.

All COVID-19 cases including asymptomatic, mild, probable, suspected cases, and close contacts are mandated to undergo quarantine at home or in the city’s isolation facilities if requirements for home quarantine are not met as certified by CHO.

Olivarez, present chairman of the Metro Manila Council, said unvaccinated individuals are prohibited in indoor and outdoor/al fresco dining in restaurants or other food establishments located anywhere in the city.

“They are also prohibited from leisure or social trips to malls, hotels, event venues, sports, and country clubs and similar facilities,” he explained.

The local measure directed local establishments to effectively promote and encourage by visibly displaying near the entrance of the establishment the copy of the ordinance.

The ordinance penalizes individual violators with a fine of P 1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second, and P5,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.

The mayor said that any person who will that falsify the COVID-19 vaccine card will be prosecuted under existing city ordinances without prejudice to prosecution under other applicable laws.

Olivarez added that if a violator is found to resist, escape or absorb from apprehending authorities, another maximum penalty will be imposed.

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