2 solons push for granular lockdowns with 'bakuna bubble'

Two House lawmakers on Monday filed a resolution urging the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to recalibrate measures in battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Resolution No. 2209 filed by Representatives Stella Quimbo and Sharon Garin called on the IATF to protect the public's health while safely reopening the economy through the reimposition of granular lockdowns, as well as "bakuna" and business bubbles.

The lawmakers pointed out that granular lockdowns would be effective if the Department of Social Welfare and Development would coordinate with local government units in providing the necessary aid to affected households.

They said the granular lockdowns should be coupled with the "bakuna" bubble by allowing fully-vaccinated individuals to engage in businesses and other activities, which are otherwise prohibited across various quarantine classifications.

The "bakuna" bubble will give greater mobility and opportunity to fully-vaccinated individuals, the lawmakers said.

Business bubble must also be enforced to let businesses, whether deemed essential or not, to operate as long as they deploy individuals who are fully-inoculated against COVID-19.

The employees should also be subjected to regular COVID-19 testing, according to Quimbo and Garin.

The resolution further calls for the creation of the Bayanihan Para sa Pagbangon ad hoc committee to review the powers, composition, and functions of the IATF as well as to oversee its economic recovery programs.

The national government has announced that areas in Metro Manila will undergo granular lockdowns under the pilot general community quarantine (GCQ) with alert systems.

Granular lockdowns will be implemented by surprise, according to Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.—LDF, GMA News