IATF places 4 provinces under Alert Level 4

FILE PHOTO: Acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. Screengrab from INQUIRER.net’s video interview

The government’s pandemic task force has elevated four provinces to the more restrictive alert level 4 beginning Jan. 21 up to the end of the month.

These provinces are Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province and Northern Samar, according to acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles, who also cochairs the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Under alert level 4, intrazonal and interzonal travel will be allowed except for those below 18, and those belonging to the vulnerable population, such as those over 65 years old, those with comorbidities and other health risks, and pregnant women.

Those below 18 or belonging to the vulnerable population will be allowed access to obtain essential goods and services, and for work in permitted industries and offices.

Prohibited under alert level 4 are in-person classes; all contact sports; cinemas and movie houses; kid amusement industries; venues with live voice or wind instrument performers, such as karaoke bars; casinos, horse racing, cockfighting, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments; and gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.

Permitted activities

Permitted establishments and activities will be allowed to operate at 10 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals, and 30 percent outdoor capacity.

These include religious gatherings; dining services; personal care establishments; licensure or entrance exams; fitness gyms and venues for noncontact exercise and sports; film, music, and television production; venues for meetings and exhibitions; permitted venues for social events; visitor and tourist attractions; amusement parks; and venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls and amusement arcades.

Government agencies should remain operational and should have at least a 40 percent on-site workforce.

Necrological services, wakes, inurnments, and funerals for those who did not die of COVID-19, and the cremated remains of those who died of COVID-19, will also be allowed but limited to immediate family members.