Naga issues new rules for entry in malls, shops

By Jason B. Neola

The Naga City government released on Monday, Dec. 13, new guidelines for the entry of persons in public and private establishments, places of worship, and public spaces in its area of jurisdiction.

The order implementing the new rules was signed by Mayor Nelson Legacion and City Health Officer Vito Borja, MD, who also chairs the Naga City Health Emergency Response Task Force.

It said that all workers in public and private establishments in order to be allowed to perform onsite work must be partially or fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated workers or those who do not want to get jabbed may also be allowed to work provided that they present a negative RT-PCR or Antigen Test every 14 days at their own expense.

Because of this rule, only the presentation of a medical clearance issued by a government health office shall serve as valid proof of exclusion or ineligibility for vaccination.

The rule for partially vaccinated employees in both public and private sectors: they are not required to undergo regular RTPCR test at their own expense, if their second dose is not yet due pursuant to the interval prescribed for the brand of vaccine received as the first dose.

Persons 12 years old and above shall be allowed to gain entry to public and private establishments and places of worship only when vaccinated.

RANDOM CHECK Under the new localized guidelines, which allow even children to go outside of residence, PNP and PSO personnel are tasked to inspect all eligible individuals (12 years old and above) for their vax cards prior to their entry in public places and establishments. JBN/REY BAYLON/CEPPIO

Children from 11 years old and below shall be allowed to go outside of residence and enter public and private establishments and places of worship or do activities at public places or spaces only when they are accompanied by their fully vaccinated parents or guardians. Wearing of face mask, however, are required to those who are 3 years old and above.

All establishments and places of worship are tasked to demand from all eligible persons (12 years old and above) to present vaccination cards prior to their entry.

The guidelines include tasks by personnel of the Naga City Police Office, Public Safety Office, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Barangay Officials and Tanods (village watchmen) to ensure full implementation in establishments and public spaces of the rules.

They shall also conduct random inspection of vaccination cards to ensure effective implementation of the policy. The PNP, having general supervision over the operations of security agencies, shall immediately conduct orientations of security guards on execution of the guidelines.

The localized guidelines were released after the city’s analytics team reported that Naga’s positivity rate has already dropped to 5% in recent days which serves as the World Health Organization’s benchmark for entering the new normal.