THE PNP is ready to impose stricter mobility guidelines and health protocols in the National Capital Region (NCR) as it goes under Alert Level 3 effective today after cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) started rising during the holiday season following the entry of the Omicron variant.
“The PNP will not take this lightly even if some areas don’t have any confirmed transmission yet of the Omicron variant,” PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said yesterday.
The Department of Health (DOH) has so far traced 14 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Carlos said the PNP is likewise prepared to assist local government units (LGUs) that would decide to put up police border checkpoints to control the entry of people in their jurisdictions.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) last Friday placed Metro Manila under heightened alert status from January 3 until 15 “to control the movement and unnecessary gathering of people.”
The region was placed under the less restrictive Alert Level 2 on November 5 last year when cases started to drop amid the high turnout of Filipinos who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Establishments and activities not allowed under Alert Level 3 are face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education, except those earlier permitted by the IATF and the Office of the President; contact sports, except those conducted under bubble-type setup; funfairs or carnivals and kid amusement industries like playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides; venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters; casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments, except those allowed by the IATF or the Office of the President; and gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging under the same household.
Alert Level 3 also reduced the customer capacity of permitted industries to 30 percent (from 50 percent) for indoor venues for individuals and only for fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 50 percent (from 70 percent) for al fresco or outdoor activities for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
“Our mandate is to make sure that the restrictions are properly implemented. We will closely coordinate with the IATF and the LGUs as well,” said Carlos.
PNP spokesman Col. Roderick Alba said the PNP has always been prepared to implement restrictions under Alert Level 3.
“The PNP is always thinking ahead because that’s the instruction of our chief PNP – you should think ahead, you should predict and plan and immediately lay out the guidelines,” said Alba, adding: “We in the PNP already have a template.”
Alba said policemen will be strictly monitoring establishments whose allowed capacity have been reduced under Alert Level 3 to ensure they are complying with the regulations set by the IATF.
Alba urged the public to follow the stricter measures.
“The appeal of the PNP to our countrymen is not to think of the heightened alert level as a punishment or additional burden but to immediately arrest the further increase of COVID-19 cases,” said Alba.
Meanwhile, Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong proposed the use of antigen self-test kits to hasten the detection of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Magalong said the city is planning to launch the program this week once this is approved by the National Task Force for COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez.
He said testing czar Vince Dizon already expressed his support to the program.
“Our city could be the pilot site for this do-it-yourself testing kits that are widely used in the US, Canada, Europe and Singapore,” said Magalong.
In a statement, the Baguio City Public Information Office said self-tests can reduce the chances of spreading the virus as people can test themselves inside their homes without having to go to health facilities.
Metro mayors yesterday agreed to suspend face-to-face classes in the region in compliance with IATF guidelines.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said the suspension of the limited in-person classes was unanimously approved by the 17 mayors during a meeting held on Sunday afternoon.
The decision, he said, was approved by the Department of Education (DepEd).
“The suspension of face-to-face classes is automatic as Metro Manila goes under (the) stricter alert level 3 status starting Monday until January 15 due to increase in COVID-19 cases and recorded cases of Omicron variant,” Abalos said in a statement.
Twenty-eight public schools in Metro Manila joined the pilot face-to-face classes on Dec. 6, 2021.
RAIL TRANSPORT
In a statement, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it will maintain the 70 percent passenger capacity in all rail lines in Metro Manila.
“As recommended by our railways sector, all rail lines will maintain the present 70% passenger capacity under the Alert Level 3 status, provided that strict health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be enforced. This is to avoid the ‘bottlenecking’ or crowding of passengers at stations, which may increase the risk of virus transmission,” said Secretary Arthur Tugade.
According to Tugade, any adjustments or changes in the passenger capacity of rail lines, as well as in other modes of public transportation, will be subject to the guidance of the IATF.
As part of the heightened implementation of health measures in all rail lines, a random antigen testing of consenting and volunteering passengers will also be done.
Transportation Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan said the random antigen testing will help the DOTr gauge the level of COVID-19 presence in the rail lines.
“The random antigen testing of consenting and volunteering passengers is intended to guide us in the adoption of any further needed measures. Passengers who volunteer to be tested will be permitted to proceed with their trip after testing and will be informed of their test results by text message,” Usec. TJ Batan said.
Aside from the random antigen testing of passengers, the use of train marshals will be optimized to enforce health protocols inside trains and in stations.
Tugade also ordered the regular disinfection of trains, platforms, stations and depots, and the continuation of contact tracing measures.
To ensure the safety of all rail facilities, the DOTr has required all rail personnel to undergo antigen testing, pursuant to prevailing DOH protocols.
Physical reporting in offices of rail lines personnel will be limited to 60 percent, further to Alert Level 3 guidelines, which prescribe at least 30 percent.
Tugade also ordered the Rail Sector to verify the vaccination and booster status of all rail personnel, and the administration of booster shots to rail personnel to increase operational resilience. — With Noel Talacay
