Single COVID-19 alert level to be implemented across NCR during system test –DILG

Only one COVID-19 alert level will be implemented across the National Capital Region (NCR) when the alert level system is pilot tested starting September 16, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing said Saturday.

"Para po sa pilot... sa susunod na dalawang linggo, napagkaisahan natin na sa National Capital Region, isang alert level lang po ang gagamitin," Densing said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

(For the pilot testing... in the next two weeks, we have agreed that in the National Capital Region, only one alert level will be used.)

"In fact, dapat Alert Level 3 ang Maynila at Valenzuela, pero sila ay nag-agree na despite the fact na mas mababa ang kanilang alert level, sa buong NCR ay isang alert level lang ang ipatutupad natin," he added.

(In fact, Manila and Valenzuela should be under Alert Level 3, but they agreed that despite the fact their alert level is lower, only one alert level will be implemented in the whole NCR.)

In an Alert Level 1, movement of persons shall be allowed except for reasonable restrictions on 3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, and close contact settings); and private establishments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government will be allowed full capacity with minimum public health standards.

Under an Alert level 2, movement of persons shall be allowed except for reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities determined by LGUs; private establishments are under minimal on-site capacity, or work-from-home or flexible work arrangements; while agencies and instrumentalities of the government are at least 50% on-site capacity.

Alert level 3 has almost the same parameters as Alert level 2, except that agencies and instrumentalities of the government are at least 30% on-site capacity.

Alert level 4 is the strictest: below 18 years old, over 65 years old, people with comorbidities and immunodeficiencies, and pregnant women will not be allowed to go out; private establishments are under minimal on-site capacity, or work-from-home or flexible work arrangements; agencies and instrumentalities of the government are at least 20% on-site capacity.

"The mayors are excited because they saw in the alert level system the chance for the public to go out to work, earn money and do business because even non-essential movements will be allowed, even at Alert Level 4," Densing said.

He added that the Metro Manila mayors and the Department of Health agreed for the NCR to start at Alert Level 4 until the level is lowered.

He also clarified the alert level system and the granular lockdowns were separate systems to be implemented simultaneously.

"I-set aside niyo po 'yung issue ng Alert Level, kasi wala ho 'yang kinalaman sa granular lockdown. Ibang sistema po 'yan, sabay nating ipatutupad," Densing said.

(Set aside the Alert Level, it has nothing to do with the implementation of granular lockdowns. It's another system that we will implement simultaneously.)

The government will only implement two quarantine classifications during the pilot implementation of the alert level system for COVID-19 response in the NCR. — DVM, GMA News