NCR under Alert Level 2 starting Nov 5
Metro Manila will be under Alert Level 2 quarantine classification starting today Nov 5 until Nov 21, Malacañang announced Thursday night.
Makati City/IMAGE from Pexels
In a press statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved the de-escalation of the National Capital Region’s (NCR) quarantine status to Alert Level 2.
Per IATF Resolution No. 147, the alert level will stay in place until November 21. It has also approved the recommendation of the sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics to base the alert level assignments on data that is nearest to the implementation date.
“Starting December 1, 2021, alert level assignments shall be determined at every 15th and 30th of the month. Escalations, on the other hand, may be done at any time in the middle of the implementation period as warranted while de-escalations can only be done at the end of the 2-week assessment period,” Roque added.
The IATF, he said, also amended the guidelines on the implementation of the Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response in pilot areas to clarify the allowed movement of persons under varying alert levels.
This new quarantine level means restrictions in Metro Manila are further eased.
The nation’s capital has been under Alert Level 3 since October 16. This meant that businesses such as cinemas, clubs, museums, amusement parks, and other tourist destinations as well as venues for social gatherings such as weddings and parties were permitted for the first time since 2020.
A bustling wet market in Manila/IMAGE from Pexels
Under Alert Level 2, the following are allowed to operate, or be undertaken at a maximum of 50% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years of age, even if unvaccinated, and 70% outdoor venue capacity provided that workers of the said establishments are fully vaccinated against COVID-19:
*Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE)
*Permitted venues for social events (parties, wedding receptions, reunions, and the like.)
*Visitor or tourist attractions (libraries, museums, galleries, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints)
*Amusement or theme parks
*Recreational venues (internet cafes, billiard halls, arcades, bowling alleys, swimming pools, and similar venues)
*Cinemas and theaters
*Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education subject to prior approval of the Office of the President
*Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training
*In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, and funerals for Covid-19 cremains and non-COVID-19 deaths
*Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations and authorized specialty examinations
*Dine-in services of food preparation establishments
*Personal care establishments such as barbershops, spas, salons, and other similar procedures, including home service options
*Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for individual non-contact exercise and sports
*Film, music, and television production
*Contact sports approved by the LGU
*Funfairs/peryas or kid amusement industries (playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides)
*Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences (karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters)
*Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household
Roque also added there is a “big possibility” that Metro Manila will be under Alert Level 2 before the forthcoming holidays.
However, the spokesperson reminded everyone to continue observing minimum public health protocols as holiday gatherings and similar events could lead to another surge in COVID-19 cases.
Source: Official Gazette
