THE pilot implementation in Metro Manila of the alert level system approach effectively controlled the spread of the coronavirus and opened up the region’s economy, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said yesterday as he justified the government’s decision to expand its application nationwide.
“We need to go on the alert level system to open up our economy and at the same time, so we can focus on areas where there are transmissions,” Año said.
President Duterte issued Executive Order 151 last Thursday allowing the four-phase implementation of the alert level system in the entire country.
The first phase is currently being implemented in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao regions.
The second phase will cover the Ilocos, Eastern Visayas, and Soccsksargen regions by the end of this month.
The third phase will include Cagayan Valley, Bicol and Zamboanga Peninsula; and the fourth phase will cover the Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimaropa, Caraga, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The alert level system was pilot tested in the National Capital Region last September.
Año, a key member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, said that while mobility restrictions in the region are now more relaxed, unnecessary travels are still not encouraged, especially for children.
He appealed to parents to keep their kids at home if they have nothing important to do outside.
Año said it will be up to Metro Manila mayors whether to impose travel restrictions on younger children who had yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Reports last week came out that a two-year old boy tested positive for COVID-19 in a rapid antigen test after his family visited a mall.
“Chairman Benhur (Abalos Jr.) and I talked about it and he said the mayors will meet next time to tackle the restriction for younger kids,” Año said in an interview with Dobol B TV, adding that the Department of Health is also investigating the report of the 2-year-old boy in case the test was a false positive.
At the same time, Año said the IATF has already submitted to President Duterte its recommendation on the use of face shields in public spaces.
He declined to detail the recommendation so as not to preempt the President.
Some local government units have made the wearing of face shield voluntary, sans a resolution from the IATF.
“We have to adopt to the changing times. With the vaccination and low numbers (of COVID-19 cases), we can ease the policy on the use of face shields,” said Año.
