Bataan Vice-Gov. Ma. Cristina M. Garcia. Contributed photo
BALANGA CITY — A provincial ordinance limiting the movement of unvaccinated individuals in Bataan has been passed by the sangguniang panlalawigan and approved by Gov. Albert Garcia.
Vice-Gov. Ma. Cristina M. Garcia on Tuesday announced the approval by the governor of Ordinance No. 2, Series of 2022, that regulates the movement of unvaccinated individuals in the Province of Bataan.
Board member Dr. Godofredo Galicia sponsored the ordinance in the SP presided by the vice-governor.
Section 1 of the ordinance provides that “unvaccinated individuals for Covid–19, including those with medical conditions making them unfit for vaccination, and when applicable, those belonging to the vaccine-ineligible age population, shall remain in their residences at all times subject to some exemptions.”
Exempted are those needing to acquire essential goods and services, including but not limited to food, water, medicine, public utilities and energy, and medical and dental necessities, subject to the presentation of proof to support and justify such travel.
A certification from the barangay, physician or other relevant authorities has to be submitted.
Also exempted are those who go to work, subject to the presentation every two weeks of a Covid–19 negative test result, taken at his /her own expense within 48 hours through a RT-PCR test.
It must be prior to being admitted for work onsite, consistent with the guidelines, rules and regulations issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force and the Department of Labor and Employment.
In the event that an RT-PCR test or its result is not immediately available, a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to reporting for work may be utilized.
The foregoing regulation is also applicable to non-residents of Bataan who work or travel within the province.
The ordinance allows Individual outdoor exercise within the general area of residences in the barangay or village subject to the guidelines that may be issued by the respective mayors with respect to their territories.
Prohibited also for unvaccinated individuals is dining in restaurants and other food establishments, whether indoor or outdoor/al fresco, and from making leisure or social visits to malls, hotels, event venues, sports and country clubs, and other facilities with closed spaces, crowded places or closed contact settings.
Another prohibition for not vaccinated persons is the use of public transportation except for the procurement of essential goods and services, among some other exemptions mentioned under Section 1.
The ordinance requires public and private establishments the presentation of proof of vaccination as a condition for entry and accommodation.
The vice-governor said prohibitions do no apply to partially vaccinated individuals or those yet to receive all the required doses, and who are waiting for their next dose.
Garcia said an individual has to present the original vaccination card or its screen shot/picture plus a valid identification card.
Violation of any provisions of the ordinance is to be meted with a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not exceeding one year, or both, at the sound discretion of the proper court, lawyer Mark Lorenz Quezon, SP secretary said.
