COVID-19 Alert Level 4 over NCR could be extended 2 weeks after September –NTF

The enforcement of the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 in the National Capital Region could be extended for two more weeks after September if it would result in lower COVID-19 infections, National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 spokesperson Restituto Padilla said Saturday.

"Hopefully kapag nagawa natin ito sa mga susunod na araw, matapos na 'yung katapusan sa buwan na ito, maaari pa itong i-extend ng two more weeks bago natin tunay na makita kung ano talaga 'yung naging epekto nito sa ating mga datos," Padilla said in a Super Radyo DZBB interview.

(Hopefully after implementing it in the coming days until the end of this month, it could be extended for two more weeks before we can see its effect on our data.)

Metro Manila is under Alert Level 4, the second-highest alert level, as case counts were high or increasing, with total COVID-19 beds and intensive care beds at increasing utilization rates.

Granular lockdowns would be implemented under this alert level.

The pilot implementation would run until September 30.

Padilla said the government was mulling to implement the alert level system in other regions if it produces good results in the NCR.

"Titingnan natin. Kung nakikitang maganda ang magiging resulta, maaaring magkaroon ng pagpapatupad nito sa malawakan."

(We will see. If results are good, there could be an extensive implementation of the alert level system).

"Hindi ko lang masabi pa kasi hindi pa natin nakikita 'yung resulta. 'Pag nagkataon na maayos at naging effective, mas nakatulong talaga, maaari," Padilla added.

(I could not tell exactly at this time because we are not yet seeing the results. If it happened to be effective and helpful, it could be implemented.)

The enforcement of the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 in the NCR would be assessed after the first week of its pilot implementation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Friday. — DVM, GMA News