MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos. Image from MMDA / PIO chief Sharon Gentalian
MANILA, Philippines — A four-level alert status, which would determine the capacity of some businesses and activities allowed, will be utilized in the piloting of granular lockdowns in Metro Manila, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said Tuesday.
Abalos said the alert level status would determine if establishments which he referred to as “3Cs” like those in closed areas, crowded areas and involve close contact activities, will be allowed to operate and at what capacity.
“If it’s the first alert, these industries can operate. If it’s second alert, they could operate at 50 percent. If it’s Alert Level 3, they could operate up to 30 percent. And if it’s Alert Level 4, they cannot operate,” Abalos said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
Abalos said these businesses and activities include religious gatherings, exhibitions, conferences, personal care services like spas, dermatologists, barbershop, gyms and dine-in services for restaurants which are heavily affected by the region-wide community quarantine classifications.
“This concept was formulated by the technical working group in order to address the economic situation of these industries,” Abalos said.
Abalos said it is the Department of Health (DOH) that will determine the alert level for COVID-19 of the various local government units (LGU).
“What would be the parameters or basis of this? In this case, there are three factors they would assess. Number one, it’s the healthcare utilization rate, the hospitals. Number two, the level of cases or infection and number three, the type of variants,” Abalos explained.
As of Monday, the DOH said every LGU in Metro Manila, except for Manila City, is under Alert Level 4. Manila City is under Alert Level 3.
Metro Manila is under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions from September 8 to 30, 2021. Granular lockdowns will be piloted in these areas during the period.
Malacañang said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is expected to iron out and soon release the full guidelines for the pilot granular lockdowns.