NTF adviser Herbosa wants recovered patients, partially vaxxed be allowed to eat in restos

Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and those only partially vaccinated due to medical conditions should be allowed to eat in restaurants as well, an official of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said Wednesday.

NTF medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa issued the remark after President Rodrigo Duterte said unvaccinated people should be banned from entering restaurants and establishments since they may “contaminate” others.

“Kung ikaw ay nagka-COVID, na-ICU, kahit ikaw ay hindi ka vaccinated, may antibodies ka, so safe din ako kasama yung mga ganoon. Ang third… yung mga hindi nabakunahan because may allergy sila,” Herbosa said at the Laging Handa briefing.

(If you already had COVID and were placed in ICU, even if you are not vaccinated, you have antibodies, so I feel like they’re also safe. The third is those who were only partially vaccinated because they have allergies.)

“So idadagdag ko ‘yun. Fully vaccinated, natural immunity sa dating inpeksyon, at those that cannot be vaccinated because of some medical condition,” Herbosa added.

(So I’ll add them. Fully vaccinated, those with natural immunity due to having previously been infected, and those that cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions.)

Meanwhile, he expressed support for unvaccinated individuals to be allowed to eat only outdoors to curb the spread of the virus.

“I’m sure yang mga restaurant na yan ay nag offer ng al fresco or open air for the unvaccinated. So kung ang kanilang lugar ay closed lang, I think It is safe policy na i-allow lang yung mga vaccinated para may proteksyon yung mga kliente nila,” he said.

(I’m sure restaurants offer al fresco or open-air for the unvaccinated. So if the establishment is closed, I think it is safe to allow only vaccinated individuals for the safety of their clients.) — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA News