No walk-in policy in Metro Manila vax sites during ECQ

By Jerome Carlo Paunan

MANILA — Metro Manila mayors have agreed to impose a no walk-in policy at vaccination sites during the entire enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period, a senior official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Friday.

During the Laging Handa public briefing hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office, DILG Spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said metro mayors have also implemented a registration system for incoulation during the enforcement of the metrowide ECQ, which ends on Aug. 20.

“The LGUs (local government units) will strictly enforce the no walk-in policy during the lockdown to prevent people from swarming vaccination sites, which could cause a superspreader event,” Malaya said.

The reimposition of the ECQ is aimed at curbing the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Malaya said only those with confirmed appointments would be accommodated at the vaccination centers.

While those who would go outside for vaccination will be asked to show their text confirmation or vaccination pass, he added.

On Thursday, on the eve of the ECQ lockdown, thousands of people have jammed COVID-19 vaccination sites in Manila and Las Piñas City after false news spread over social media that unvaccinated residents would be deprived of cash aid or barred from leaving home during a two-week lockdown.

Fake news sent large crowds heading for vaccination centers even without prior registrations. 

However, many went home disappointed after the vaccination was cancelled in some areas in order to prevent a superspreader event. Philippine Information Agency