Concepcion wants alert levels scrapped

PRESIDENTIAL Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria "Joey" Concepcion 3rd on Wednesday pushed for the scrapping of the Covid-19 alert level system as part of the country's "exit plan" from the pandemic.

At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay, the Go Negosyo founder said the government may be ready to remove all alert levels in areas with high vaccination rates and shift to standard minimum health protocols instead.

"Vaccination is key. That's why our proposal is alert level will stay with those who have very poor vaccination rate. Ang sinasabi namin pwede nang tanggalin ang alert level sa mga area na (What we are saying is to remove the alert level system in areas that) already reached a minimum of 70 percent fully vaccinated," Concepcion said.

"Those areas with low vaccination level, we are not pushing this. Ultimately, the entire country has to be no less than 70 percent. The higher the vaccination rate, the more important it is," he added.

Concepcion highlighted the critical role of Covid-19 vaccines, including booster shots, to provide protection for Filipinos.

He added the private sector is doing its part by inoculating workers and their household members, and by giving booster shots.

"I think accessibility is key and that's what they're trying to do and the bottom line is vaccination cannot stop because that gives us the immunity to protect people from severe infections and hospitalization. Overflow will be minimized with all these efforts," Concepcion said.

"We are protecting the lives of the vaccinated and that's clear all over the world that the unvaccinated are the most at risk at this time. So, we want to reduce their mobility until they get vaccinated. Some people perceived it as discriminatory, I disagree with that because this is national concern, this is the health of the unvaccinated that we are protecting," he added.

The Go Negosyo founder said the proposals will be incorporated in the government's proposed exit plan which includes further reopening of industries.

However, the Department of Health and an infectious diseases expert was cool to Concepcion's proposal.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire underscored the importance of the alert level system, comparing it to a storm signal warning system where local government units are urged to prepare for any impending disaster.

"The alert level system serves as a guide for local governments on what local governments will do," Vergeire said.

Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana concurred with Vergeire, saying that the imposition of alert levels helps prevent case surges.

"The alert level system is there as a fail-safe because kung walang alert level system, ano ang gagawin natin pag nagka-surge ng kaso (what we will do if there is a surge in cases)?" Salvana added.

Salvana said the alert level system will allow the government to calibrate its response based on the prevailing hospital utilization capacity and number of cases.

Source: TheManila Times