FILE PHOTO: Filipinos—like this early “parol” maker in Quiapo, Manila—may be given a break from the tight quarantine rules for the Christmas holidays if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to drop, according to the Department of Health. In the national capital, the number is projected to drop to 1,100 per day by November 15, 2021. It was 1,826 at the last count on October 8. INQUIRER/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — There is a “big possibility” that Metro Manila or the National Capital Region (NCR) will be eased to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 before the forthcoming holidays, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Alert Level 2 means more relaxed quarantine restrictions as well as more businesses permitted to resume operations.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government is waiting for NCR’s COVID-19 average daily attack rate (ADAR) to reach 7% to warrant the easing of curbs. Currently, NCR’s ADAR is at 7.7%
“Malaki ang posibilidad bumaba (There is a big possibility it will go down),” he said when asked if NCR would likely be eased to Alert Level 2 before the holidays.
From November 1-14, the nation’s capital region would be on COVID-19 Alert Level 3.
But Roque reminded the public not to be complacent since holiday gatherings could still lead to fresh surges in COVID-19 infections.
“Bagama’t ang datos ay nagpapakita na pupuwedeng ibaba nga sa mas mababang alert level ang Metro Manila, importante, ‘wag tayong magpabaya. ‘Wag tayong mag-isip na tapos na ang pandemya, dahil nandiyan pa rin ang COVID-19,” he said.
(Although data shows the alert level of Metro Manila could be eased, it is important that we do not get complacent. Let us not think that the pandemic is over because COVID-19 is still there.)
Independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research earlier backed calls to relax Metro Manila to Alert Level 2, citing improved COVID-19 situation and data.
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