With public responding to Omicron threat, mobility in NCR comparable to Alert Level 4 — Octa

FULL CAPACITY As Metro Manila experiences “severe outbreak” of COVID-19 cases, several
hospitals declared that they had reached full capacity. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The current mobility in Metro Manila is comparable to the movement of people under Alert Level 4 in October last year, according to independent analytics group OCTA Research, citing mobility data captured by Google.

“Retail and transit mobility in the NCR (National Capital Region) increased significantly during the last quarter of 2021. Since January 3, 2022, [when] the NCR was placed under Alert Level 3, Google mobility data showed that the current mobility in the NCR is comparable to mobility under Alert Level 4 (from October 1 to 15, 2021),” OCTA Research fellow Guido David said over Twitter on Tuesday night.

“The NCR is, practically speaking, under Alert Level 4. It seems that the public has already responded to the threat of Omicron and the exponential increase in COVID-19 cases,” he added.

NCR Current Mobility comparable to mobility under alert level 4 (Oct 1 to 15, 2021) based on Google Mobility data. @dzbb @DZAR1026 @News5PH @allangatus @NewsRmn @ABSCBNNews @sofiatomacruz @dzrhnews @EagleNews @dwiz882 @BomboRadyoNews pic.twitter.com/RYNjEQbfjj

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) January 11, 2022

Despite the increase in coronavirus infections, Metro Manila mayors deem it not necessary for now to place the region under Alert Level 4, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos. He said that the local chief executives have agreed to maintain Alert Level 3 in the region.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles also said that Metro Manila still does not meet the parameters for it to be declared under Alert Level 4.

Alert Level 4, the second-highest in the country’s COVID-19 alert level system, can be declared in areas where case counts are high and increasing and where the total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate are also high, based on guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force of the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).

IATF guidelines as of December 14, 2021 states that intrazonal and interzonal travel is allowed under Alert Level 4 subject to regulations of local government units, except for those below 18 years old, those above 65 years old, those with comorbidity or other health risks, and pregnant women.

Some establishments, including venues for indoor and outdoor contact sports, cinemas, “peryas” (carnivals), venues where children may play, karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, theaters, casinos, horse racing venues, cockpits, lottery venues and betting shops will not be allowed to operate.

EDV