PH to remain under Alert Level 2 until end of 2021
MANILA, Philippines — Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Wednesday announced that the country will remain under Alert Level 2 until December 31.
“Inaprubahan ng IATF ang rekomendasyon na ipanatili sa Alert Level 2 ang lahat ng lugar sa Piipinas simula bukas, 16 ng Disyembre hanggang sa katapusan ng Disyembere,” Nograles said during the Palace press briefing.
(The IATF approved the recommendation to keep all areas in the Philippines under Alert Level 2 from December 16 until December 31)
Despite the declining COVID-19 cases, Nograles explained that the IATF decided to maintain the current status as the threat of the Omicron variant looms.
“Well, we are being very cautious because, ito nga, iyong banta ng Omicron na nakikita natin sa ibang mga lugar, mga bansa, territories, and jurisdictions na may positive na Omicron lalo na ng local transmission ng Omicron, pataas nang pataas ang bilang ng COVID cases doon,” he pointed out.
(We are being very cautious because we observe the threat of the Omicron in other places, other countries, territories, and jurisdictions where the variant is detected, cases continue to increase.)
“At marami pa tayong hindi nalalaman tungkol sa Omicron, plus hindi pa namin talagang totally napa-finalize ang mga parameters for Alert Level 1,” he added.
(We also do not know a lot yet regarding the Omicron, plus we have not yet totally finalized the parameters for Alert Level 1)
Earlier, the IATF amended its metrics for determining alert levels in the country.
The heightening of alert level will be based on COVID-19 case classification and COVID-19 bed utilization, Nograles previously said.
Meanwhile, the community quarantine system, which was implemented prior to the alert level system, was also abolished.
The IATF then adopted the guidelines on the nationwide implementation of the alert level system, Nograles said.
“Kaugnay nito, ini-repeal ng IATF ang Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended, at ang pag-adopt ng IATF sa Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of the Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response, as amended,” Nograles said.
(Related to this, the IATF repealed the Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended, and adopted the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of the Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response, as amended.)
The alert level system was piloted in Metro Manila in September in a bid to balance the economy while safeguarding the public’s health.
