Duterte open to easing restrictions if 2M Pinoys inoculated —Nograles

President Rodrigo Duterte will consider easing restrictions in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) status once at least two million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Thursday.

Nograles made the remark when asked if President Rodrigo Duterte is now open to resume limited face-to-face classes with the COVID-19 vaccination program up and running. 

“The President reiterated his stand that he wants a more rigorous, more widespread vaccination program. Ang sabi niya, unless he sees two million vaccine doses are being administered, that's when he will start considering the opening of GCQ areas, to consider putting it under MGCQ (Modified General Community Quarantine),” Nograles said.

Mass gathering in GCQ areas is limited to 10 people in one venue or in one closed room.

Under the more relaxed MGCQ status, a venue can be filled up to 50% of its capacity.

“He wants to see a more massive vaccine rollout para tumaas ang kumpiyansa niya na mag-open ng limited face-to-face classes,” Nograles added.

Likewise, Nograles said pilot areas for small scale face-to-face classes will be carefully chosen by the Department of Education, and that private schools are also receptive of the idea.

Based on a Social Weather Stations poll released three days ago, at least 42% of Filipino students do not have devices or gadgets needed for online/distance learning as against 58% who already own, borrowed, given or rented such devices.

The country started its COVID-19 vaccination program last March 1, with the arrival of 600,000 doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine the Chinese government has donated.

Moreover, Nograles said at least 189,600 doses of Sinovac have been delivered to hospitals and health care facilities in Metro Manila, and that 12,000 and 7,200 doses are also expected to be delivered to the cities of Davao and Cebu, respectively. —LBG, GMA News