Health protocol violations in lockdown areas up under Alert Level 1 — NCRPO

(FILE) A police officer keeps watch on a section of Parkland Avenue in Barangay 177, Caloocan City, on Sept. 7, enforcing an example of a granular lockdown. INQUIRER photo/ NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The number of COVID-19 health protocol violations in areas under granular lockdowns in Metro Manila have increased with the imposition of Alert Level 1, the National Capital Police Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Thursday.

In a statement, the NCRPO said that despite the downgrading of the COVID-19 alert status of Metro Manila to the more relaxed Alert Level 1 on March 1, areas that are under granular lockdowns have increased from 15 to 19.

The NCRPO also noted that violations of minimum public health standards have also increased from 3,713 to 4,209.

“On the pilot implementation of Alert Level 1 status in the region from Feb 28 to March 1, 2022, NCRPO record shows that the areas placed under granular lockdown increased by 26.67% from 15 to 19 in NCR. Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) violators increased by 13.36% from 3,713 to 4,209,” NCRPO said.

The NCRPO has assured that the enforcement of health protocols to stem the spread of COVID-19 will continue under the leadership of its newly-installed regional director, Maj. Gen Felipe Natividad.

Natividad was appointed head of NCRPO last Tuesday after Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. got promoted as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorial Staff.

READ: Danao promoted 4th highest in PNP; Natividad gets NCRPO top post

Last Sunday, Malacañang said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the proposal to place Metro Manila under Alert Level 1, after a continuous decrease in COVID-19 cases.

This comes over a month after the country saw a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections, attributed to the more infectious Omicron variant.

Under an Alert Level 1 classification, more establishments are allowed to either open for business and accommodate more customers and guests. Public transport vehicles are also allowed to operate at full passenger capacity.

READ: Metro Manila, 38 other areas under Alert Level 1 starting Mar. 1

With the increase in health protocol violations, the NCRPO is asking the public to cooperate with police officers to make sure that COVID-19 cases will not increase.

“Moreover, PNP deployed personnel will continue to enforce the IATF Guidelines on 34 QCP’s (quarantine control points) entering the region. While police checkpoints will remain in place to guarantee the peace and order in the community as well as to prevent crimes especially now that national and local election is approaching,” the NCRPO said.

“Further, despite the decrease in COVID-19 cases and the easing of restrictions, Team NCRPO seeks the cooperation of the public to follow the MPHS especially wearing of face masks, disinfection of hands and maintenance of social distancing,” it added.

Last Monday, PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba said PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos has directed officers, especially those assigned in Metro Manila, to ensure that minimum public health standards would still be observed to ensure that no COVID-19 transmissions will occur.

Checkpoints intended for health protocol screening will now be deactivated, Alba said, but those set up with the Commission on Elections for the election season would remain operational.

READ: PNP: Health protocols vs COVID-19 will still be strictly enforced during Alert Level 1