Strict implementation of “no mass gatherings” for the 2022 national election and other guidelines are now being discussed according to Inferior Secretary Eduardo Año.

Last Saturday in their meeting for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, President Rodrigo Duterte brought it up to Año and Inter-Agency Task Force team. In an interview with Teleradyo, Año said that the president is asking for their landscape plan of election campaign period before the 2022 elections. “At kailangan makipagugnayan din ang COMELEC (Commission on Elections) sa para makabuo tayo ng mekanismo,” he added.

On the election campaign period, Año emphasized that IATF shall prohibit candidates in using “hybrid” format where face to face gatherings are manifested. Instead, they encourage the candidates to use online conferences through Zoom and other applications of the same kind. “Maaari siguro parang hybrid din yan. Kung mangangampanya sila, yung physically present adhering sila sa health protocols. Pero pwedeng may kasamang online or Zoom para doon sa mga hindi makakaattend,” Año said.

Moreover, Año mentioned that COMELEC gave IATF the assurance of cooperating and planning with them as they also prioritize the health of each Filipino who will be voting for the 2022 national elections.

Meanwhile, on election day, voters will be subject to health screening first once they arrive at polling precincts. Those with "questionable" health conditions will vote in "isolation polling places," COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon.

Sources: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1465679/iatf-crafting-guidelines-for-covid-proof-election-mass-gatherings-a-big-no-no

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/6/23/2022-election-related-activities.html