The Department of Tourism (DOT) has assured that tourism frontline service personnel are included in the priority group in the country’s vaccination program against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“It is, indeed, critical for our frontliners, especially those who continue to man our ports of entry and those who serve at accommodation establishments that have been repurposed as quarantine facilities,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.
“These personnel have been there at the onset of the pandemic.”
“These personnel have been there at the onset of the pandemic – had risked life and limb during the repatriation efforts and up to now, remain at risk with the constant exposure with incoming travelers and guests from all parts of the world,” Romulo-Puyat added.
As contained in the Interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group for COVID-19 Vaccines Resolution No. 1, approved on February 5, 2021, tourism frontliners fall within Priority Group iv. A4: Frontline personnel in essential sectors including uniformed personnel and those in working sectors identified by the IATF as essential during ECQ.
“Protection through the vaccine and health care support systems will primarily boost their immune system and more importantly, fortify their mental and emotional core to continue working under stressful COVID conditions,” the tourism chief stressed.
Pre-COVID, the tourism industry had employed 5.7 million workers.
“We also look forward to the inclusion of the tourism industry workforce at recently-opened destinations as part of the priority groups for vaccination.”
“We also look forward to the inclusion of the tourism industry workforce at recently-opened destinations, who operate facilities and serve guests directly, as part of the priority groups for vaccination,” the tourism head emphasized.
“Our sector’s human capital is essential to the country’s socio-economic recovery,” she concluded.