Philippines Bans Unvaccinated From Public Transport

On Wednesday, the Philippines banned unvaccinated inpiduals from public transport in the capital to restrict their movement as Covid-19 infections surge.

The measure followed President Rodrigo Duterte’s order amid the spread of the new Omicron variant.

Commuters are required to show proofs of vaccination before riding buses, jeepneys, trains and other public transport in Metro Manila, the transportation department revealed.

The “no vaccination, no ride” policy will be in effect while the capital is under Alert Level 3, the third-highest in a five-step scale.

The Philippines has intensified curbs on the unvaccinated as daily Covid-19 cases hit record highs in the past days, filling up hospitals in the capital.

On Monday, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla stated that the omicron vaccine will be ready in March, and the company’s already begun manufacturing the doses.

“This vaccine will be ready in March,” Bourla told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “We [are] already starting manufacturing some of these quantities at risk.”

Bourla affirmed that the vaccine will also target the other variants that are circulating, noting that it is still not clear how it would be used.

However, he asserted that Pfizer will have some doses ready since some countries want it ready as soon as possible.