THE work-from-home setup is now optional, particularly in areas under Alert Level 1, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Monday, February 28, 2022.
Lopez said they are now encouraging companies to require onsite work in a bid to further boost businesses, like stores and restaurants that are allowed to reopen without capacity restrictions.
He said more people are expected to go out following the shift to Alert Level 1 or new normal in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 38 other areas in the country.
"Ie-encourage 'yung onsite work [under Alert Level 1], ibig sabihin less na yung work from home, magiging optional na yung work from home," Lopez said.
(Onsite work should be encouraged under Alert Level 1, meaning it will become optional.)
"Ang maganda dito kapag pumapasok na uli yung mga tao physically, nabubuhay 'yung mga restaurants at yung mga tindahan, yung mga stores, kasi nasa labas yung mga tao at wala na sa bahay," he added.
(The good thing with people reporting to work physically is restaurants and stores will become lively as people are going out of their houses already.)
From March 1 to 15, the NCR, along with Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Kalinga, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, City of Santiago, Isabela, Quirino, Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Naga City, Catanduanes, Aklan, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Siquijor, Biliran, Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin and Davao City, will be under Alert Level 1.
The decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to de-escalate the quarantine status in the said areas came following the continuous decline in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the Philippines.
Under Alert Level 1, all restrictions, including venue or transportation capacity and travel, is lifted regardless of vulnerability and age.
Lopez said vaccination status will, however, remain as a requirement for indoor activities.
The public, though, is still required to wear face masks and observe physical distancing to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.
The Philippines is currently under low risk classification for Covid-19 with 1,038 fresh cases recorded on February 27.
The number of active cases in the country was at 52,961.
The nationwide hospital utilization rate is also at low risk, noting that 91.5 percent of the active cases were mild to asymptomatic cases that do not require hospital admission. (SunStar Philippines)