Gov’t raises establishments’ capacity in areas with high COVID vax rate

PROOF OF VACCINATION Two women take selfies as they get their inoculation at a Taguig City school on Sept. 10. INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The government has allowed establishments in areas under Alert Level 4 and below to increase its capacity for an additional 20%, as long as 70% of senior citizens and immunocompromised persons in these areas are vaccinated against COVID-19, Malacañang said Tuesday.

This is provided under the latest Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolution 161-A, Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said.

At present, certain establishments and activities in areas under Alert Level 2 are allowed at 50% capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults and minors — even if they are not yet vaccinated — and 70% capacity outdoors.

Meanwhile, under Alert Level 3, establishments are allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity but exclusively for fully vaccinated people and 50% outdoor venue capacity as long as employees are fully vaccinated.

Under Alert Level 4, establishments are allowed to operate at 10% indoor capacity strictly for fully vaccinated individuals only and 30% outdoor capacity. Cinemas, contact sports, face-to-face classes, amusement parks, casinos are prohibited.

Under the latest resolution, Nograles said establishments are allowed an additional 10% operational capacity if they have secured Safety Seal certificates from the government. This is on top of the additional 20% capacity allowed by the government.

At least 61.6 million Filipinos across the country are so far fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Nograles said, while over 9.1 million have received their booster shots.

Metro Manila has extended its Alert Level 2 status until Feb. 28.

JPV