Metro Manila shifts to Alert Level 2

THE Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases has downgraded the alert level of Metro Manila from 3 to 2 starting Friday, November 5 until November 21.

Malacañang announced the downgrading of Metro Manila’s alert level Thursday evening, November 4, amid the continuous decrease of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the region.

Of the 37,159 active Covid-19 cases recorded by the Department of Health as of November 4, 7,191 were in Metro Manila.

The Covid-19 bed occupancy in the region was at low risk at 29.1 percent, while the intensive care utilization occupancy was at 37.45 percent.

“Also approved is 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,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

“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 two-week assessment period,” he added.

Under Alert Level 2, intrazonal and interzonal travel may be allowed subject to the reasonable regulations of the local government unit of destination, and individual outdoor exercises are also permitted regardless of age, comorbidities or vaccination status.

The following establishments and activities are also allowed at 50 percent capacity for indoors for fully vaccinated adults as well as minors even if unvaccinated, and 70 percent capacity for al fresco or outdoors:

* Indoor visitor or tourist attractions, libraries, archives, museums, galleries, and cultural shows and exhibits;

* Indoor venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, events (MICE);

* Indoor entertainment venues with live performers such as karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, theaters, and cinemas;

* Amusement parks or theme parks, funfairs, kid amusement, industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;

* Indoor recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, and similar venues;

* Indoor limited face to face or in-person classes, examinations, and other education-related activities at all levels;

* In-person religious gatherings;

* Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than Covid-19;

* Social events such as but not limited to concerts and parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers, and gatherings at residences with any person outside of one's immediate household;

* Indoor dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as commissaries, restaurants, and eateries;

* Indoor sports courts or venues, fitness studios, gyms, spas or other indoor leisure centers or facilities, and swimming pools;

* Personal care services. It also includes establishments providing tanning services, body piercings, tattooing, and similar services.

Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments may only reopen under Alert Level 2 if they were allowed by the IATF and the Office of the President. (SunStar Philippines)