Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez has declared that the Philippines managed to hurdle the challenges brought by the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
The statement comes as Metro Manila and 38 other areas were placed under Alert Level 1.
“Finally, nalagpasan natin ang pagsubok na dala ng Omicron,” Galvez reported at President Rodrigo Duterte’s speech last Monday.
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“NCR and 38 areas will begin the roadmap to the new normal starting tomorrow exactly one year after we started the vaccination program,” he added.
Galvez thanked the government agencies involved in the vaccination drive.
He also commended the local government units, the private sector, foreign partners, and the Filipino people for the country overcoming Omicron.
Alert level 1 is the lowest form of alert level in the current system which means low cases but health protocols must be maintained.
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“Magbubumaz ang ekonomiya but less ang restrictions,” Trade Secretary Mon Lopez said.
Requirements for intrazonal and interzonal travels will also be lessened, the Trade chief said.
“Wala na yung requirement na RT-PCR, yung mga PNP clearance. Pero malaking bagay pa rin yung vaccination card,” Lopez said.
