Experts list pandemic exit recommendations
As Filipinos aspire to rise above the pandemic, a group of experts has drafted a number of exit strategies to help government rally the nation in its transition to normalcy.
Former presidential adviser Joey Concepcion revealed over the weekend that he and the Advisory Council of Experts (ACE) have been working on several recommendations to help the country attain a “better normal.”
“The President’s vision for our country inspired me to take action and ask some of our country’s foremost experts to help lay down parameters for a transition strategy for a better normal, one that encourages economic activity without risking the public’s health,” said Concepcion, founder of Go Negosyo.
For its part, ACE said it has now become important for governments to prepare a pandemic exit strategy.
“Neighboring countries’ practices and data show that we can do so without living in constant fear that we will forever live in a state of pandemic,” the group said.
ACE members include National Task Force against COVID-19 special adviser Teddy Herbosa, COVID-19 Technical Working Group chairperson Nina Gloriani, Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) member Rontgene Solante, Philippine College of Physicians president Maricar Limpin, health reform advocate Tony Leachon, infectious diseases expert Benjamin Co, OCTA Research fellows Ranjit Rye, Guido David and Nic Austriaco, economist Romy Bernardo and Go Negosyo senior adviser Josephine Romero.
Among the recommendations of the group is the adoption of an alert level system that aligns with a framework similar to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s colorcoded system.
The framework adopts the “traffic light” system of red, yellow and green to denote the different stages of readiness, their corresponding pre-requisite metrics using health care utilization rates (HCUR) and average daily attack rate (ADAR), and face mask rules for each region.
The group stressed that both indicators are accurate and representative gauges of pandemic status, and are used as indicators all over the world.
It added that the approach also ensures transparency in decisionmaking.
Another suggestion brought to fore by the ACE is relaxed masking rules with the color-coded system.
Under the green alert level, masking outdoors will become optional but will remain mandatory in closed spaces and inside public transportation.
Under the yellow alert level, the LGU decides masking rules with consideration to its HCUR and ADAR, and based on the capacity of the region.
Under the red alert level, face masks are mandatory in both indoor and outdoor situations.
ACE also emphasized the need to ensure that at least 70 percent of those who have completed their primary vaccines are given a booster dose.
Another recommendation of the group is the prioritization of the granting of Certificates of Product Registration for COVID-19 vaccines.
It added that the vaccines should be available through commercial channels for those who may not be in the priority segment but wish to be protected through vaccination.
The group said this necessitates the lifting of the state of public health emergency to encourage the pharmaceutical companies to apply for their certificates of product registration (CPRs) as their emergency use authorization (EUA) expire.
Moreover, it pointed out that there may be a need to buy vaccines that cover the highly contagious Omicron variant.
It said the private sector will need to know whether the vaccines already have their CPRs or are still covered under EUA, as it may need another tripartite agreement for vaccines that are under EUA.
The group said this will allow those who can afford it to get a prescription from a licensed doctor and get their shots in clinics, hospitals, drugstores and pharmacies.
ACE added that the poor can be assisted by the government to procure their vaccines.
“The wearing of face masks and vaccinations remain our most important defenses against the pandemic,” Concepcion said.
“Under this system, we maintain economic activity, keep our countrymen safe, and incentivize regional governments who do well in their pandemic response,” he added.