Palace: COVID alert levels for the rest of February may be out on Feb.13 or 14

(FILE) Unvaccinated individuals may ride public transport without fear of being shooed away or offloaded as the “no vaccine, no ride” policy is lifted from Feb. 1 to 15 when Metro Manila comes under alert level 2. —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — New COVID-19 alert levels for the rest of February may be announced on Feb. 13 or 14, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) will meet over the weekend to discuss the new alert levels and look at the latest COVID-19 situation in the country.

The IATF will decide on new alert levels for Feb. 16 until Feb. 28, he added.

“Sa weekend, Feb. 12 or 13, magkakaroon na naman ng pagpupulong para makita ‘yung latest numbers or data ng iba’t ibang regions kabilang NCR para mas ma-assess namin nang mas malapit sa Feb. 16 kung ano ‘yung magiging alert levels natin sa ating bansa,” he said in an interview over Radyo Pilipinas.

(Over the weekend, on Feb. 12 or 13, we will have another meeting to see the latest COVID-19 data in the country, including NCR, so that we can assess it closer to Feb. 16.)

“Maaaring mag-announce kami ng mga bagong alert levels either Feb. 13 or 14. Gusto kasi namin, the closer to the Feb. 16 ang aming assessment para ‘yun ‘yung latest numbers na makikita natin to make a final decision for alert level,” he added.)

(We may announce new alert levels either Feb. 13 or 14. We want our decision to be closer to the Feb. 16 so that we will base our decision to the latest numbers relating to COVID-19.)

Metro Manila is currently under Alert Level 2 until Feb. 15.

Metro Manila mayors may ask the IATF to place Metro Manila under Alert Level 1 if COVID-19 cases continue to drop, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

However, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante earlier said it is “too early” and “too drastic” to place Metro Manila under Alert Level 1 this month.

/MUF