Gov’t mulls relaxing restrictions on vaccinated seniors

THE Philippine government may soon allow vaccinated seniors to go outside of their residences for non-essential activities, the Trade department said on Monday as the country aims to further reopen its economy.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the government is eyeing to ease restrictions imposed on seniors who have been fully vaccinated.

“We just hope that moving forward, as we get to vaccinate more, we start to reopen further, give the benefits sa nabakunahan na (to those who have been vaccinated), particularly seniors,” he told a televised news briefing after the symbolic inoculation of economic frontliners.

The task force handling the coronavirus response earlier adopted a resolution directing local leaders in Metro Manila to create special lanes for seniors as well as health workers and people with health complications.

At the same briefing, vaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said more than 5.9 million coronavirus vaccines have been given out as of Sunday.

Of the total, about 1.5 million were administered as second doses, while more than 4.4 million were given out as initial doses, he said.

The Philippines, which began its vaccination on March 1, aims to inoculate as many as 70 million Filipinos this year to achieve herd immunity. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza