By Alec Go
The government on Monday (Sept. 13) released the guidelines for the pilot implementation of the COVID-19 quarantine classifications in the National Capital Region (NCR) based on alert levels.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) said the Department of Health (DOH) will identify the alert level during the pilot implementation of the new system weekly. The restrictions and allowed activities will depend on the alert level.
Listed are the following alert levels and the areas which they may be implemented:
Alert Level 1 – areas with low and decreasing COVID-19 transmission, and low total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rate
Alert Level 2 – areas with low and decreasing COVID-19 transmission, with low healthcare utilization, with low but increasing case counts, or with low and decreasing case counts but total bed and ICU utilization rate are increasing
Alert Level 3 – areas with high and/or increasing case counts, with increasing total bed and ICU utilization
Alert Level 4 – areas with high and/or increasing case counts, with high total bed and ICU utilization
Alert Level 5 – areas with alarming case counts, with critical total bed and ICU utilization
The IATF said granular lockdowns may still be implemented regardless of alert levels and must take place “not less than 14 days.”
“Declaration of granular lockdowns by local chief executives shall be provisionally effective immediately and shall include due notice to the RIATF [regional IATF],” it stated.
Meanwhile, the national IATF “retains its mandate to impose and/or lift lockdowns on highly urbanized cities and independent component cities.”
Only healthcare workers and those working in frontline health facilities, returning and outbound overseas Filipinos, those with medical emergencies, and uniformed personnel tasked to enforce the granular lockdown are allowed to enter and exit an area under granular lockdown.
Activities, establishments, mobility
Based on the new guidelines, the highest and strictest Alert Level 5 will require the implementation of restrictions observed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Minors, those over 65 years-old, and those with health risks are prohibited to go out unless necessary, while outdoor exercises will be limited to the general area of residence under Alert Level 4.
Prohibited under Level 4
Indoor and closed venues for tourists attractions, meetings, entertainment, amusement parks including those outdoors, recreational venues, face to face or in-person classes, examinations, casinos and other gaming establishments, social events like concerts and parties, indoor sports and leisure activities, and personal care services.
Similar activities such as contact sports under bubble-type that have been approved by the IATF are exempted.
Allowed under Level 4
Outdoor or al fresco dining, outdoor personal care services, and outdoor in-person religious gatherings at 30% capacity.
Indoor dining, indoor personal care services, and in-person religious gatherings for fully vaccinated individuals at 10% capacity.
Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 limited to immediate family members.
Agencies and instrumentalities of the government with at least 20% on-site capacity.
Prohibited under Level 3
Indoor entertainment venues, outdoor and indoor amusement parks or theme parks.
Allowed under Level 3
Indoor and closed venues for tourists attractions, meetings, recreational venues, face to face or in-person examinations, casinos and other gaming establishments, in-person religious gatherings and necrological services, social events like concerts and parties, indoor dining, sports and leisure activities, and personal care services at a maximum capacity of 30%.
Those with Safety Seal certification may be given additional 10% in terms of allowed capacity. Activities and establishments not mentioned may operate at full capacity in areas under Alert Level 3, except those under granular lockdown.
Agencies and instrumentalities of the government with at least 30% on-site capacity.
Prohibited under Level 2
No establishments are prohibited to operate, but movement of persons are subject to restrictions imposed by the local government unit based on age and comorbidities. Outdoor exercises are also allowed for all ages.
Allowed under Level 2
Indoor and closed venues for tourists attractions, meetings, entertainment, recreational venues,amusement parks, face to face or in-person classes and examinations, casinos and other gaming establishments, in-person religious gatherings and necrological services, social events like concerts and parties, indoor dining, sports and leisure activities, and personal care services at a maximum capacity of 50%.
Similar to Alert Level 3, those with Safety Seal Certification may be given additional 10% allowable capacity.
Agencies and instrumentalities of the government with at least 50% on-site capacity.
Allowed under Level 1
Meanwhile, no establishments are prohibited to operate and all establishments may operate in full capacity consistent with minimum public health standards under Alert Level 1. -rir
