Duque: Laguna may have to be placed under Alert Level 3

MANILA, Philippines — The province of Laguna may have to be placed under Alert Level 3 amid the growing COVID-19 cases in the country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday.

“I was just told earlier by the epidemiology bureau that Laguna might also have to be placed under Alert Level 3,” Duque said during the Go Negosyo Town Hall event.

The national government earlier placed Metro Manila under the stricter Alert Level 3 until January 15 amid the “exponential” spike of COVID-19 cases in the region.

The rest of the country, meanwhile, is currently under Alert Level 2.

The provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal were also placed under Alert Level 3 starting Wednesday, January 5. The heightened alert status in the three provinces will be imposed until January 15.

Under IATF guidelines, intrazonal and interzonal travel are subject to “reasonable restrictions” that may be imposed by local government units under Alert Level 3.

Individuals aged 18 below and those belonging to the vulnerable population are likewise permitted access and travel to procure and avail essential goods and services and for work.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier announced that the Philippines is once again classified as “high risk” for COVID-19 amid the recent increase in cases in the country.

/MUF