Children now allowed out under Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila

FILE PHOTO: A father with his children aboard their bicycle crosses an almost empty road in Manila on March 20, 2020, after the government first imposed an enhanced community quarantine against the rising numbers of coronavirus infections. Government has allowed the easing of the lockdown on Friday, November 5 as less cases of COVID-19 were registered daily. AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Emerging from one of the world’s longest lockdowns starting November 5, children in Metro Manila may now leave their residences, as more activities and establishments will be allowed to operate and the capital region eased to the less restrictive alert level amid the downtrend in coronavirus cases.

Based on the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases resolution as of November 4, intrazonal and interzonal movement shall be permitted, subject to “reasonable restrictions.”

“However, reasonable restrictions may be imposed by the LGUs (local government units), which should not be stricter as those prescribed under higher alert levels and subject to the oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of their respective RIATF (Regional IATF),” the resolution stated.

A screenshot of the IATF Resolution on Alert Level 2 as of November 4.

The IATF stressed that areas under granular lockdown are not subject to the looser protocols.

Meanwhile, the following establishments or activities may operate under Alert Level 2, provided, that all workers of the following establishments are fully vaccinated against COVID-19:

• Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education subject to prior approval of the Office of the President
• Contact sports approved by the LGU where such games shall be held
• Funfairs/peryas or kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides
• Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters
• Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household

Based on IATF guidelines, the said establishments and activities may operate up to 50-percent indoor venue capacity for fully COVID-19 inoculated individuals and those 18 years old and below regardless of vaccination status. Meanwhile, outdoor venue capacity may accommodate up to 70 percent.

Moreover, the following activities or establishments may continue to operate with increased capacity as mentioned:

• Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions
• Permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers
• Visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like
• Amusement parks or theme parks
• Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues
• Cinemas and movie houses
• Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training
• In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 and for the cremains of the COVID-19 deceased
• Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject to the health and safety guidelines as approved by the IATF
• Dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sector-specific protocols
• Personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options, subject to the sector-specific protocols of the DTI
• Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for individual non-contact exercise and sports, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols. Provided that patrons/clients and workers/employees wear face masks at all times and that no group activities are conducted
• Film, music, and television production subject to the joint guidelines as may be issued by the DTI, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Health.

Government agencies and instrumentalities will remain to be fully operational with increased on-site capacity of 50 percent from 30 percent “while applying work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements.”

Of the five-tier system, Alert Level 2 will be raised in Metro Manila from November 5 to 21.

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