THIS piece of good news has been awaited for so long by Filipinos, especially those living in Metro Manila — the government’s declaration that the National Capital Region and 38 other areas are now under Alert Level 1 in the COVID-19 warning system. This level is as close as we can get to the pre-pandemic normal that we have been accustomed to.
It was Cabinet secretary and presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles who announced last Sunday, February 27, that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved placing the National Capital Region under Alert Level 1 effective March 1 until March 15.
Nograles said the other places under the most relaxed COVID-19 alert level are: Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Kalinga, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, City of Santiago, Isabela, Quirino, Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Naga City, Catanduanes, Aklan, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Siquijor, Biliran; Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, and Davao City. All other areas not mentioned are under Alert Level 2.
‘Under Alert Level 1, it is all the more important to remind the nation that the coronavirus 2019 is still around, and if we do not watch out, there exists the very real possibility of a resurgence of COVID 19…’
Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel will be allowed regardless of age and comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities are permitted to operate, work, or be done at full on-site capacity, provided that health standards are observed.
Except for in-person classes in elementary schools, which will need endorsement from the Department of Education and approval by the President, the above requirements of Alert Level 1 are generally being observed by the general population of Metro Manila, even without the announced change in alert level.
This tendency to dodge the strict observance of official health and business protocols in restaurants, barbershops, jeepneys and buses, etc. is borne out by the people’s growing resentment against the long lockdowns and mobility restrictions. Young and old, Metro Manilans behave as if there is no longer any COVID-19 pandemic, and this is reinforced by the failure of local government units to strictly implement health regulations, which save for the use of face masks are often dispensed with.
The business community is most happy that the local economy in Metro Manila and 38 other places will be fully opened, giving the needed boost for businesses to thrive and workers to regain their jobs. Soon, the nation will be back on its feet economically, and decent growth shall once again be a reachable goal.
Under Alert Level 1, it is all the more important to remind the nation that the coronavirus 2019 is still around, and if we do not watch out, there exists the very real possibility of a resurgence of COVID-19 like what is happening in Hong Kong now. Complacency at this time is the great risk that we all have to guard against.
