HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III yesterday said the Alert Level 1 in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 47 other areas will most likely stay until the end of the term of President Duterte in June 30.
In a televised public briefing, Duque said: “Instead of us discussing Alert Level 0, I think we are doing fine under Alert Level 1. I think this will stay until the end. We shall be at Alert Level 1 likely until the end of the term of President Duterte.”
The health chief said there is viable reason to maintain Alert Level 1 as the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remains.
Add to this, he said, is the possible entry of other COVID-19 variants and mutations.
“The beauty of the alert level system is we can deescalate if there are a few cases and hospitals are not overwhelmed, and if there is a surge, we can escalate our alert level,” said Duque.
“It will also be dependent on the threat of the variants and mutations,” he also said.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has placed Metro Manila and 47 other cities and provinces from March 16 until 31. Some 57 areas, on the other hand, were placed under Alert Level 2.
The other areas in Luzon under Alert Level 1 are the cities of Baguio, Dagupan, Santiago, Angeles, Olongapo, Lucena, Puerto Princesa and Naga City.
Also under the same alert level are the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Romblon and Catanduanes.
In the Visayas, placed under Alert Level 1 until March 31 are the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Siquijor and Biliran; and the cities of Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Ormoc and Tacloban.
In Mindanao, the cities of Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao and Butuan and the province of Camiguin are under Alert Level 1 until the end of the month.
Instead of pushing for Alert Level 0, Duque said it would be better if the country will focus more on bringing all areas under Alert Level 1.
“We should focus on helping these areas under Alert Level 2 deescalate to Alert Level 1,” said Duque.
Under Alert Level 1, business establishments and offices are already allowed to operate under 100 percent capacity while still holding health protocols, such as the wearing of face masks, regular washing of hands and observance of physical distancing.
Public transports are also already permitted full operating and seating capacity.
