Group backs shift to granular lockdowns
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has backed calls for the implementation of vaccine bubbles, together with additional health-care capacity and an improved contact-tracing system, a proposal that would essentially let the vaccinated move more freely while restricting where the unvaccinated could go.
MAP president Aurelio Montinola III said in a statement on Wednesday that this approach would be the proper middle ground, noting that the country needed to change its action plan that had focused mostly on health.
“We must immediately change the ‘health mostly’ narrative and action plan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic after 18 futile months of using a community quarantine lockdown approach,” said Montinola, a retired banker who is also chair of the Far Eastern University.
“For now, the ‘bakuna bubble’ approach seems to be the appropriate middle ground for the Metro Manila mayors and the long-suffering NCR (National Capital Region) economic engine.
Additional treatment capacity and improved contact tracing likewise go hand in hand,” he added.
High infection rate
The Duterte administration had allowed the reopening of certain economic sectors since last year, even when the COVID-19 positivity rate of the country—an important metric used by experts in determining if an outbreak is controlled—remained high.
A positivity rate essentially measures the number of people who tested positive against the number of tests conducted. According to the World Health Organization, an acceptable positivity rate should be at 5 percent or lower.
The positivity rate last June 30 was 11.3 percent, according to data from the Department of Health (DOH). During that time, Metro Manila and other areas were under a “general community quarantine with some restrictions,” which allowed businesses to partially reopen.
Meanwhile, as of Sept. 7, the positivity rate was at 28.1 percent, the 12th day in a row wherein the figure has been above 25 percent, DOH data showed.
Increased poverty
Nevertheless, MAP still wanted granular lockdowns— or quarantines limited to specific and small areas—implemented.
“Granular lockdowns should be complemented with the ability of fully vaccinated workers and consumers to partially enjoy the fruits of 18 months of community quarantine hardship,” Montinola said, adding that the private sector, with the help of local governments, has been vaccinating most of its A4 employees.
“We appeal to the IATF to consider this new pilot proposal immediately. Otherwise, ECQ may become known as the ‘Economy Casualty Quotient’ with positivity rate of increased poverty and hunger in the 20 percent to 50 percent range,” he also said.
“Sadly, we then doom ourselves to becoming the ‘Permanent Sick Man of Asia,’” he added.
