Members of the Philippine National Police gather at Camp Crame headquarters in 2018. (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Police in Metro Manila are getting ready in case its COVID-19 status gets lowered from its current Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1.
Gen. Dionardo Carlos, the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered the preparations to ensure that health safety protocols would still be followed, according to a statement that the PNP issued on Wednesday.
“With more people outside, the need for more intensified police visibility is imperative,” Carlos said. “Thus, the public can expect that police personnel will continue to monitor the flow of people to remind them of the health protocols.”
Downgrading the alert level is just a transition for the new normal set-up, Carlos said.
“The most lenient Alert Level 1 will open prospects for more economic activities by lifting some restrictions on venue capacities, but the minimum public health standard is still in effect,” he warned.
He stressed the importance of keeping the protocols in place, regardless of the alert level.
“We have observed major improvements in our efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus as reflected in the decreased number of cases and hospital utilization rate with increased vaccination coverage,” Carlos said.
“The situation is better now because of the discipline that the public is showing. We expect to observe the same attitude even if the health protocol will be relaxed,” he added.
Carlos’ order came after Metro Manila mayors unanimously voted to downgrade the region to Alert Level 1 starting March 1.
Under Alert Level 1, all establishments — except those in areas under granular lockdown — will be allowed to operate at full capacity.
There will also be no more age restrictions on those allowed in public. Religious gatherings and outdoor activities will also be allowed.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) is set to act on the recommendation on Thursday, Feb 24.
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