WITH Davao City now under Alert Level 3, an official from the Covid-19 Task Force said that vulnerable groups such as below 18 and above 65 years old are limited from going out for "essential purposes" only.
Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said in a radio interview on Friday, October 22, that this is in accordance to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution 144-D, which placed the city under Alert Level 3 until October 31, 2021.
Areas under this level are those with high and/or increasing case counts, and those with increasing number of bed utilization and intensive care unit utilization rate.
Schlosser said that individuals under the vulnerable sector are only permitted to go out from their homes for accessing food and essential services like medical checkups or hospitalization.
Among the essential purposes include outdoor exercises and outdoor non-contact sports are now allowed for all ages.
"Diri sa atoang guidelines sa Alert Level 3, allowed ang outdoor exercise for all ages (In our Alert Level 3 guidelines, outdoor exercises are allowed for all ages). That means even the kids and senior citizens can do that since it is within essential activities," she said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
She also raised concerns that some minors and senior citizens were prohibited from entering malls despite going for essential purposes.
The official said they are allowed to go out, for example dining at restaurants or going to medical clinics. But she said it is already non-essential if they would be going to department stores and other leisure areas.
Schlosser said the city's alert level status depends on the number of its active Covid-19 cases and vaccination compliance.
She added, "Kinahanglan, to achieve a better alert level, gina-engganyo gyud nato ang tanan nga magpabakuna aron ma achieve nato ang herd immunity as fast as we can and we will be able to enjoy all together ang mga luag nga restrictions (To achieve a better alert level, we encourage everyone to get vaccinated so we can achieve herd immunity as fast as we can and we will all be able to enjoy together eased restrictions)."
Meanwhile, establishments or activities will be allowed to operate at a maximum of 30 percent indoor venue capacity but for fully vaccinated individuals only.
"The following 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," the city said.
This applies for venues of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE); 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; visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like.
Also opened are amusement parks or theme parks; recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues; cinemas and movie houses are also allowed.
Dine-in services in food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols; 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, are also allowed subject to the sector-specific protocols of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Schlosser reminded the public to continuously abide with the minimum health protocols despite the adjustment of some regulations.