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MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Monday said the alert level system should be lifted gradually as the country transitions from a pandemic to an endemic mindset.
During the Laging Handa public briefing, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said Filipinos should be accustomed that even with the lowering of alert levels, practice of minimum public health standards should remain in place.
“It does not mean that with lowering the alert levels, we are no longer facing this Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) crisis,” Castelo said in Filipino.
In a statement, DTI urges establishments in areas under Alert Level 2 to strictly follow health protocols to avoid another surge and going back to a more stringent restriction.
Castelo said DTI will continue to conduct on-the-spot monitoring in business establishments in Metro Manila including salons, cinemas, recreational venues, restaurants, and gyms to ensure that they strictly implement the minimum public health standard.
In a separate statement Monday, senatorial aspirant Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro said it is not yet time to scrap the alert level system throughout the country.
Teodoro said the government should craft an inclusive “exit plan” from the pandemic first, including various sectors and local government units (LGUs) in identifying measures, as the country transitions to an endemic mindset.
He said the alert level system is still working in the current situation wherein the state of provinces and regions depends on the number of Covid-19 cases and health care capabilities of LGUs.
“Our current alert level system, especially Level 1 and 2 are no longer restrictive, with a big chunk of our economy already open. We cannot afford another surge particularly those local governments with poor healthcare capability. It is not one size fits all. We have to ensure vaccine equality and improve health facilities in the entire country,” he added. (PNA)
