IATF retains COVID-19 alert level in most parts of PH; some restrictions in effect

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(Editor’s note: This article has been edited and refreshed to reflect the changes in the headline and text of the story. The word “raises” has been changed to “retains” to make it consistent with the IATF-issued resolution.)

MANILA, Philippines — The Interagency Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) retained COVID-19 Alert Level 2 in 26 areas from April 15 to 30, 2023, with some restriction that needed to be followed.

In a Resolution No. 6-C series of 2023, the IATF said it has approved the recommendation of the sub-Technical Working Group for Data Analytics placing several areas under alert level effective April 15, 2023, to April 30, 2023.

The resolution was signed by Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire and Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on April 14, 2023.

In a later statement, however, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified that the 26 cities were not escalated from Alert Level 1, “rather, these have maintained their Alert Level 2 status since June 2022.”

“While these areas have reached low-risk classifications for cases and utilization rates, these have vaccination rates lower than 70% of the target total and population and/or 70% of the total A2 population (senior citizens),” said the DOH.

“Meeting these targets will allow these areas to be de-escalated to Alert Level 1. Also, no province or city has been escalated to Alert Level 2 from Alert Level 1 since January 2023,” it added.

According to DOH, the Alert Level System continues to be the guide for protection of the public against COVID-19.

Areas under Alert Level 2 are mandated to implement restrictions such as a 50 percent capacity in establishments indoors for fully vaccinated adults and 70 percent capacity outdoors.

Areas under Alert Level 1 permits intrazonal and interzonal travel with no restrictions based on age and co-morbidities.

A certification stated that the Resolution No. 6-C had been unanimously approved and adopted following a series of meetings and consultations.

Metro Manila is now under Alert Level 1, while the other areas with alert levels are as follows:

Areas / provinces under Alert Level 2

• Benguet
• Ifugao
• Quezon Province
• Palawan
• Camarines Norte
• Masbate
• Antique
• Negros Occidental
• Bohol
• Cebu Province
• Negros Oriental
• Leyte
• Western Samar
• Lanao del Norte
• Davao de Oro
• Davao del Norte
• Davao del Sur
• Davao Occidental
• North Cotabato
• Sarangani
• Sultan Kudarat
• Dinagat Islands
• Basilan
• Maguindanao
• Sulu
• Tawi-Tawi

Areas / provinces under Alert Level 1

• Metro Manila
  • Caloocan City
  • Malabon City
  • Navotas City
  • Valenzuela City
  • Pateros
  • Pasig City
  • Marikina City
  • Taguig City
  • Quezon City
  • Manila
  • Makati City
  • Mandaluyong City
  • San Juan City
  • Muntinlupa City
  • Paranaque City
  • Las Pinas City
  • Pasay City
• Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
  • Abra
  • Apayao
  • Baguio City
  • Kalinga
  • Mountain Province
  • Benguet: 
    • Buguias, Sablan, and Tublay
  • Ifugao: 
    • Alfonso Lista (Potia), Kiangan, Lagawe (Capital), Lamut
• Region I
  • Dagupan City
  • Ilocos Norte
  • Ilocos Sur
  • La Union
  • Pangasinan
• Region II
  • Batanes
  • Cagayan
  • City of Santiago
  • Isabela
  • Nueva Vizcaya
  • Quirino 
  • Region III
  • Angeles City
  • Aurora
  • Bataan
  • Bulacan
  • Nueva Ecija
  • Olongapo City
  • Pampanga
  • Tarlac
  • Zambales
• Region IV-A
  • Batangas
  • Cavite
  • Laguna
  • Lucena City
  • Rizal
  • Quezon: 
    • Alabat, Atimonan, Candelaria, City of Tayabas, Dolores, Gumaca, Lucban, Mauban, Padre Burgos, Pagbilao, Perez, Plaridel, Polillo, Quezon, Sampaloc, San Antonio, Sariaya, Tiaong, Unisan
• Region IV-B
  • Marinduque
  • Occidental Mindoro
  • Oriental Mindoro
  • Puerto Princesa City
  • Romblon
  • Palawan: 
    • Cagayancillo, Culion, El Nido (Bacuit), Kalayaan
• Region V
  • Albay
  • Camarines Sur
  • Catanduanes
  • Naga City
  • Sorsogon
  • Camarines Norte: 
    • Basud, Capalonga, Daet (Capital), San Vicente, Talisay
  • Masbate: 
    • Balud, Batuan, City of Masbate (Capital), Mandaon, Milagros, San Fernando
• Region VI
  • Aklan
  • Bacolod City
  • Capiz
  • Guimaras
  • Iloilo Province
  • Iloilo City
  • Antique: 
    • Anini-y, Barbaza, San Jose (Capital), Sebaste, Tobias Fornier (Dao)
  • Negros Occidental: 
    • Cadiz City, Candoni, City of Himamaylan, City of Talisay, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona (Saravia), Ilog, La Carlota City, Murcia, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Sagay City, San Enrique, Silay City, Valladolid
• Region VII
  • Cebu City
  • Lapu-Lapu City
  • Mandaue City
  • Siquijor
  • Bohol:
    • Alburquerque, Balilihan, Batuan, Calape, Corella, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Maribojoc, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (Pitogo), San Isidro, San Miguel, Sevilla, Sikatuna, Tagbilaran City
  • Cebu: 
    • Alboy, Borbon, City of Naga, City of Talisay, Oslob, Pilar, Poro, Santander, Tudela
  • Negros Oriental: 
    • Amlan (Ayuquitan), Bacong, Dauin, Dumaguete City (Capital), Valencia (Luzurriaga), Zamboanguita
• Region VIII
  • Biliran
  • Eastern Samar
  • Northern Samar
  • Ormoc City
  • Southern Leyte
  • Tacloban City
  • Leyte: 
    • Abuyog, Albuera, Bato, Barugo, City of Baybay, Dulag, Hindang, Inopacan, Javier (Bugho), La Paz, Leyte, Matag-ob, Matalom, Palo, Pastrana, Tabontabon, Tunga, Villaba
  • Samar (Western Samar): 
    • City of Catbalogan (Capital), Marabut, Motiong, Pagsanghan, Paranas (Wright), San Sebastian, Talalora, Tarangnan, Zumarraga
• Region IX
  • City of Isabela
  • Zamboanga City
  • Zamboanga del Norte
  • Zamboanga del Sur
  • Zamboanga Sibugay 
• Region X
  • Bukidnon
  • Cagayan de Oro City
  • Camiguin
  • Iligan City
  • Misamis Occidental
  • Misamis Oriental
  • Lanao del Norte: 
    • Bacolod, Baroy, Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Lala, Linamon, Tubod (Capital) 
• Region XI
  • Davao City
  • Davao Oriental
  • Davao de Oro: 
    • Mawab, Montevista, Nabunturan (Capital), New Bataan
  • Davao del Norte: 
    • Braulio E. Dujali, Island Garden City of Samal, Santo Tomas
  • Davao del Sur: 
    • Padada
  • Davao Occidental: 
    • Don Marcelino, Malita, Santa Maria
• Region XII
  • General Santos City
  • South Cotabato
  • Cotabato (North Cotabato): 
    • Antipas, Arakan, City of Kidapawan (Capital), Kabacan, President Roxas
  • Sarangani: 
    • Maitum
  • Sultan Kudarat: 
    • Bagumbayan, City of Tacurong, Kalamansig, Lebak, President Quirino 
• Caraga
  • Butuan City
  • Surigao del Norte
  • Surigao del Sur
  • Agusan del Norte
  • Agusan del Sur
  • Dinagat Islands: 
    • Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo (Albor), Loreto, Tubajon
• Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
  • Cotabato City
  • Lanao del Sur
  • Maguindanao: 
    • South Upi, Upi
  • Sulu: 
    • Hadji Panglima Tahil (Marunggas)
  • Tawi-Tawi: 
    • Turtle Islands

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