NCR mayors seek eased restrictions for fully vaxxed

According to [Philippine News Agency], the Metro Manila Council (MMC) has asked the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to consider easing restrictions for those fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In Resolution No. 21-19, series of 2021 released on Thursday, the MMC -- composed of the 17 mayors in NCR and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) -- said the suggestion will be subject to an “inter-agency and inter-disciplinary study” to determine the appropriate policies.

“The MMC urges the IATF-EID to consider the easing of the Covid-19 guidelines for fully-vaccinated individuals in the NCR,” the resolution read.

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MMDA chair Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said easing restrictions for the fully vaccinated will help encourage more vaccinations and boost the economy, particularly the industries and services greatly affected by the pandemic.

“With the NCR being considered right now to be the epicenter of this pandemic and the region with the most number of vaccinated individuals, we are confident that we can find the right balance between safeguarding the public’s health and reviving the economy,” Abalos said.

To date, around 56 percent of the NCR’s eligible population -- a total of 5,492,344 individuals -- have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, while 81.21 percent or 8,262,558 have received their first jab.

NCR mayors seek eased restrictions for fully vaxxed. (Photo / Retrieved from Philippine Canadian Inquirer)

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“By next month, we are expecting that we will reach 77.57 percent or 7,601,685 of the total eligible population in the metro to be fully vaccinated. The more people who complete their inoculation, the sooner we can achieve population protection,” Abalos said.

According to [Philippine News Agency], Metro Manila remains under modified enhanced community quarantine until September 15.