NCR reverted to Alert Level 3 on Jan. 3-15: Palace exec

MANILA – The alert level status in Metro Manila will be raised anew from the current Level 2 to Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15, 2022, Malacañang announced on Friday night.

In a public announcement, acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) decided to shift to a more stringent alert level status as the country saw a spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections.

"Nakita naman natin sa mga nakaraang araw ay nag-increase exponentially ang mga kaso dahil sa Holiday activities kung saan tumaas ang movement ng mga tao at bumaba ang compliance sa minimum public health standards. Isa rin sa dahilan ang detection ng local cases ng Omicron variant (We saw an exponential rise during the past days because of the Holiday activities where there were increased movement and compliance with minimum public health standards may have been disregarded. Local cases of the Omicron variant were also detected)," he said.

Nograles added that an increase in Covid-19 positive cases is expected in the succeeding days thus, the IATF’s decision

After 11 days of active cases below 10,000, the number increased to 10,418 on December 29 and was at 14,233 by year-end after 2,961 new cases.

The Department of Health also confirmed 10 new cases of the Omicron variant, with three already recovered.

Nograles cited a "high possibility" of local transmission of the Omicron variant.

Under Alert Level 3, establishments or activities shall be allowed to operate or be undertaken at a maximum of 30 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50 percent outdoor venue capacity, provided that all workers of the establishments are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Movements

Intrazonal and interzonal movement are still allowed, however, reasonable restrictions may be imposed by the LGUs, which should not be stricter as those prescribed under higher alert levels and subject to the oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of their respective Regional IATF.

Those below 18 years of age, and those belonging to the vulnerable population, shall be allowed access to obtain essential goods and services, or for work in permitted industries and offices in accordance with existing labor laws, rules, and regulations. Individual outdoor exercises shall also be allowed for all ages regardless of comorbidities or vaccination status. 2.

Prohibited activities

Meanwhile, the following establishments and activities that are considered high-risk for transmission under Alert Level 3 are not allowed:

1. Face to face or in-person classes for basic education, except those earlier permitted by the IATF and Office of the President;
2. Contact sports, except those conducted under bubble-type setup, as provided for under relevant guidelines adopted by the IATF, Games and Amusement Board, and Philippine Sports Commission, and approved by the LGU where such games shall be held;
3. Funfairs/carnivals and kid amusement industries like playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;
4. Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters;
5. Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments, except those that will be allowed by the IATF or Office of the President; and
6. Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.

Allowed activities

He said allowed activities under Alert Level 3 at a maximum of 30% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50% outdoor venue capacity are the following: 

1. Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE);
2. Permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers; 

3. Visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like;
4. Amusement parks or theme parks;
5. Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues;
6. Cinemas and movie houses;
7. Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training;
8. In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 and for the cremains of the COVID-19 deceased;
9. Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject to the health and safety guidelines as approved by the IATF;
10. Dine-in services in food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols;
11. Personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options, subject to the sector-specific protocols of the DTI;
12. Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for non-contact exercise and sports, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols. Provided that patrons/clients and workers/employees wear face masks at all 3 times and that no group activities are conducted; and
13. Film, music, and television production, subject to the joint guidelines as may be issued by the DTI, DOLE, and the DOH.

These activities will be allowed provided that all on-site workers/employees of these establishments and organizers of activities are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and MPHS shall be strictly maintained. There is no objection from the LGU where these activities may take place.

The IATF, he said, instructed the Technical Working Group headed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and National Vaccination Operations Center to craft guidelines in the implementation of stricter measures for the unvaccinated individuals.

Quarantine, isolation protocols

“We likewise reiterate the current local quarantine and isolation periods and protocols as embodied under Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2021-0043 or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Minimum Public Health Standards for the Safe Reopening of Institutions,” Nograles said. “This is for strict compliance of all stakeholders.”

These include:

• 10 days isolation of positive cases for asymptomatic, mild, and moderate cases;
• 21 days isolation of positive cases for severe and critical cases;
• 7 days quarantine for close contacts who are fully vaccinated; and
• 14 days quarantine of close contacts and travelers for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals.

He said IATF issued a directive to the Response Cluster ng National Task Force Against Covid-19 to prepare the pediatric healthcare capacity for the possible increase in Covid-19 cases among the pediatric population and hospital admissions given their unvaccinated status.

All implementing agencies, he said, are instructed to ensure that all protocols are adhered to and minimum public health standards observed especially in closed and crowded spaces, and close-contact activities.

Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall remain fully operational and shall adhere to at least 60 percent on-site capacity while applying work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements. 

“Mga kababayan, higit kailanman, muling nakaatang sa balikat nating lahat ang tagumpay ng bansa laban sa panibagong hamon nitong pandemya. Ngayong bisperas ng bagong taon, magdiwang nang may pagpapasalamat sa Mayakapal, ngunit manatiling mahinahon sa ating pag-iingat; maging ligtas sa ating pakikipagtulungan sa gobyerno at sa isa’t isa (Fellow Filipinos, the success of confronting another challenge in this pandemic rests on our shoulders, more that ever. This New Year’s eve, let us celebrate and thank God but let us remain calm and cautious. Let us be safe in helping the government and fellow Filipinos),” Nograles said. (PNA)