By Philstar
The country’s group of retailers is asking the government to include retail frontline workers in the priority sectors for COVID-19 vaccination to restore consumer confidence and allow businesses to sustain their operations.
In a letter to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who chairs the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), dated Feb. 4 and signed by Philippine Retailers Association president Rosemarie Ong and chairman Paul Santos, the PRA requested the IATF to extend the priority COVID vaccination to retail frontliners, including those in public markets, as they are exposed to the general public every day.
A vaccination program is necessary to protect citizens, especially those who may have exposure to the virus, according to the group.
“As the association that represents the retail industry, we hope that this request be granted not only to protect retail frontliners, but also to help gain back consumer confidence and further maintain business operations and keep and give more jobs to retail frontliners,” it said.
Noting the Philippines has a consumption-driven economy, the PRA said the support for the retail industry would be necessary for the country’s recovery.
READ full story HERE.
