Superspreader events like class and family reunions, birthday parties, and outings will be commonplace now amid declining COVID-19 infections. With over half of the population in Metro Manila vaccinated and the inoculation drive gaining traction in the provinces, Filipinos are being emboldened to get out of their homes and test the waters, so to speak.
Nobody can blame the Filipinos for venturing out, visiting public parks, and going into restaurants after months of being cooped up in their homes. Many of them have received protection from the vaccine and health authorities themselves have given the green light to participate in the reopening of the economy.
The government may further downgrade the quarantine restrictions to Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila next month. About 86 percent of the target population of 70 percent in the capital region, or close to 7.8 million, have received vaccine jabs. A greater number of people in the metropolis, thus, are expected to troop back to the malls and other public places and ride on public transportation.
The vaccine jabs, however, are not foolproof. A vaccinated person can still get infected, especially by the unvaccinated. The looser restrictions and superspreader events can result in a new COVID-19 spike if local government units or concerned government agencies lower their guard.
The reopening of the dolomite beach in Manila Bay is a case in point. About 8,000 Metro Manila residents flocked to the new tourist attraction on Oct. 17 when it was reopened to the public. The figure reached 65,000 on Sunday, including young children.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which oversees the beach project, clearly has been remiss on its job. There was no social distancing to speak of in the event due to the sheer number of people who visited the beach.
Authorities and local government units should be reminded that the Philippines is not yet out of the woods yet, despite the positive COVID-19 data. No country for that matter can claim that it has won the battle against the virus. Vigilance, health protocols and the vaccine will remain the most effective armor against the pandemic.
