Iloilo City Hall implements ‘no booster shot, no entry’ policy

Groups that oppose vaccine mandates hold a rally at Plaza Libertad (left) just outside City Hall which has implemented the ‘no booster shot, no entry’ policy on the public. (Contributed photo)

Clients and employees of the Iloilo City Hall are now required to present their booster cards indicating that they have received booster shots of COVID-19 vaccine upon entering the building’s premises.

The “no booster shot, no entry” policy in the City Hall took effect Monday, Jan 17, 2021.

According to Jeck Conlu, spokesperson of the Iloilo City Covid-19 Team, the policy was announced by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas as early as December 2021 to give ample time for the employees and the clients to prepare for the administration of the booster jabs.

“Last Jan 17 effective na ang aton ‘No Booster, No Entry’ sa Iloilo City Hall. Gina-implementar na ina naton. Sang December pa na naton gin-announce gintagaan pa naton sang malaba nga time para makapabooster na ang aton mga empleyado kag ang mga nagatransaksyon sa Iloilo City Hall,” he said in an interview Tuesday morning.

City Administrator Melchor Tan issued Office Order No. OCA-2021-065 last Dec 27, 2021 mandating that all city government employees who have been fully vaccinated by September 2021 but have not received their booster shots will not be allowed to work onsite.

“Effective Jan. 17, 2022, all city government employees who have been fully vaccinated but have not received their booster shots will not be allowed to report for work. Relative thereto, department heads and head of offices are directed to advice personnel who are fully vaccinated to have their booster shots before Jan. 17. In addition, clients who wish to transact business at the Iloilo City Hall will likewise be required to present their Covid-19 Booster Cards,” Tan said in the memorandum.

Conlu said that the policy will be implemented at the City Hall until the mayor mandates the lifting of the said policy.

Following the policy, security guards stationed at the building conducted thorough inspection and checking of the booster cards of the clients and employees.  (DG)