MANILA – An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) declared on Thursday that Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination cards are no longer a requirement in entering malls in areas under Alert Level 1.
Vaccination cards are only required in establishments classified as 3Cs (closed, crowded, close-contact) areas, according to DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.
“Technically, you don’t need to present the vaccination card when you enter a mall. You are only required to present it when inside the mall, (when) you are going to a restaurant, spa, movie house, or a similar establishment classified as 3C (closed, crowded, close-contact venues),” Malaya said in a television interview.
However, Malaya recognized that some malls in Alert Level 1 areas are still requiring people to present their vaccination cards before they are allowed entry.
“It’s something that they want to do and I don’t see anything wrong about that,” he said.
Malaya guaranteed that the DILG will talk to the local government units (LGUs) about the matter.
“Hopefully, we can meet with them very soon to clarify that the requirement for the presentation of a vaccination card is at the 3C establishments and not necessarily at the mall where that establishment is located,” he said.
The National Capital Region and 38 other areas were placed under Alert Level 1 by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) from March 1 to 15.
The IATF stated that there are no restrictions in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities under Alert Level 1. Everyone, regardless of age and even comorbidities, can undertake intrazonal and interzonal travel.
All establishments, persons, or activities are likewise allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at total on-site or venue seating capacity, provided these are consistent with minimum public health standards.
Meanwhile, face-to-face classes for primary education shall be subject to prior approval of the Office of the President.
