The government has set the guidelines for the de-escalation of areas to a more relaxed Alert Level 1 as reported daily COVID-19 cases continue to decline across the country.
Based on Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution 163 dated February 24, areas will be placed under Alert Level 1 if they have:
- Low to minimal risk case classification
- Total bed utilization rate of less than 50%
- Full vaccination of 70% of its target population
- Full vaccination of 80% of its Priority Group A2 (senior citizens) target population
The cutoffs for average daily attack rate (ADAR) was also revised to less than six for low risk, six to 18 for moderate risk, and more than 18 for high risk.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Aῆo said the final decision on the next alert level classifications will be finalized Monday (Feb. 28), and may be announced by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The National Capital Region is currently being eyed for the most relaxed alert level.
“Ang Alert Level 1 sa Metro Manila, sa metrics niya, papasok siya. Pero ang tanong diyan, number one, handa ba ang Metro Manila? Eh sabi naman ng mayors, handa sila,” he said.
“Pangalawa, siyempre kailangan ng approval ng Pangulo diyan kasi medyo, medyo major shift ang Alert Level 2 at Alert Level 1. So hindi pa natin gaanong na-finalize, malalaman natin sa Monday ang final,” he added.
In the Laging Handa briefing today (Feb. 25), Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion stressed anew the need to shift Metro Manila to Alert Level 1, even more so with the ongoing Russo-Ukraine conflict that will push prices of basic commodities up.
“We should brace ourselves for price increases ‘no. So, inflation will go up,” he said.
“Pero ang importante dito, as we open the economy to Alert Level 1, more businesses can resume so at least they can start earning money and better prepare themselves for whatever may happen dito sa giyera na ito,” he added. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG-rir
