Unvaccinated NCR residents should have access to essential services —CHR

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday said residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19 should be allowed to access essential services amid the Alert Level 3 status in the region.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said while there are “valid justifications” in restricting rights such as mobility during a pandemic, the policies for doing so should be based on human rights standards.

“The Commission on Human Rights, however, continues to stress that such policies much be based on human rights standards — that, among others, it must be legal, necessary, proportional, and non-discriminatory as detailed under the Siracusa Principles,” she said.

This comment was made after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday said unvaccinated NCR residents would be ordered to stay at home unless they are buying and accessing essential goods and services while the NCR is Alert Level 3.

MMDA chair Benhur Abalos also said unvaccinated people would also be allowed outside only for activities or exercises within the area of their residences, villages, or barangays, depending on the regulations of the concerned local government units (LGUs).

De Guia stressed that there are “valid exemptions” for several unvaccinated individuals like religious and valid medical grounds.

She added the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 to “restore full enjoyment of our rights, most especially the protection of our right to health.”

“While we remind that it is the government’s obligation to respect, protect, and fulfil our human rights, individually, we also have to do our part in promoting the common good, including collectively ending the pandemic,” De Guia said. 

According to DOH’s national COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, 57,152,301 individuals have received their first dose while 49,853,264 have completed their doses as of Sunday.

Meanwhile, 1,847,926 booster doses were administered to those who have completed the six-month requirement.  —Giselle Ombay/KBK, GMA News