Duque: Keeping NCR at Alert Level 2 is best for now

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the observed downward trend of COVID-19 cases, it is better that Metro Manila, the nation’s capital region, will remain under Alert Level 2 for now considering the threat of the Omicron variant, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Tuesday.

“Para sa akin, siguro tama lang na manatili muna tayo sa Alert Level 2,” Duque said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(For me, I think it is only right that we remain under Alert Level 2 for now.)

“Ang mobility tataas na naman ‘yan ngayong kapaskuhan, alam natin yan at lalong nagbabadya ang Omicron variant so maigi na mas konserbatibo tayo,” he added.

(Mobility is expected to increase during the Christmas season, we all know that, and the Omicron is looming over us, so it’s better that we’re more conservative.)

He pointed out that reopened establishments and the loosened restrictions are enough for now to let the economy recover.

Metro Manila is currently under Alert Level 2 until Dec. 15. Duque said the government’s pandemic task force will discuss on Thursday on updates on the alert level implementation and other policies.

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he sees “better days ahead” as the COVID-19 situation in the country continues to improve, citing the downward trend of cases of the severe respiratory illness.

He noted that additional daily cases have been averaging to 500 to 600 since Dec. 1.

In November, Duque said Metro Manila could shift to a less restrictive Alert Level 1 if COVID-19 cases go down below 1,000 or 500.

JPV