Unvaccinated individuals against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be prohibited from entering the malls, movie houses, restaurants, government offices, and the likes in Iloilo City.

According to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, there is no specific date yet when to implement the new rule, but he noted that he will issue an executive order.

“Those who are not vaccinated will no longer be allowed to enter the malls, places of worship, restaurants, government offices kag iban pa. Kay bal-an mo ang mga unvaccinated amo gid ni sila ya ang delikado nga iguon because ang iban ya nga vaccinated nga iguon, mild lang nga infection. Ang ini nga mga unvaccinated severe most of the time kag kinanglan madala sa hospital,” said Treñas.

He added that the city is also getting the recommendation of health experts especially regarding the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and if the new rule could also be implemented starting January 17, 2022.

Earlier, the city government announced that beginning January 17, city government employees and clients who have not received COVID-19 booster shots would be barred from entering city hall.

Department heads and heads of offices were told to advice their fully vaccinated personnel to get their booster shots before Jan. 17.

Employees fully vaccinated by September 2021 but have not received booster shots will not be allowed to report to work, stressed Office Order No. OCA-2021-065 issued on Monday by City Administrator Melchor Tan.

On the other hand, city government clients with transactions at city hall will be required to present their COVID-19 Booster Cards at the building’s entrance.

Treñas said city hall employees who fail to get booster shots before Jan. 17 may be allowed to be on a work-from-home arrangement.

He stressed the importance of having booster shots, citing the threat of Omicron variant.

The Philippines has so far recorded four Omicron cases. (Glenda Tayona)/WDJ