Alert Level 4 implementation in NCR orderly, got good feedback, says Año

The implementation of the alert level system in the National Capital Region has been orderly so far and received good feedback, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Sunday.

"Maganda ang feedback at maayos naman ang pagpapatupad ng Alert Level System sa Metro Manila. May mga naging isyu, pero agad naman itong natugunan," Año said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(The feedback is good and the implementation of the Alert Level System in Metro Manila is orderly. There were issues, but these were immediately addressed.)

NCR was placed under Alert Level 4 starting September 16. Based on the government's new guidelines, areas under Alert Level 4 — the second highest alert level in the new scheme — are those with COVID-19 case counts that are high or increasing while total beds and ICU beds are at high utilization rate.

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

Under Alert Level 4, outdoor or al fresco dining will be allowed at maximum of30%  venue/seating capacity regardless of vaccination status of customers. Indoor dine-in services may be allowed at a limited 10%  venue/seating capacity but will cater only to individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

There are also restrictions on personal care services, religious gatherings, and attendance at wakes and burials, among others. Curfew is also shorter at 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Violators

Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Olay meanwhile said on Sunday they have so far caught 12,000 people in the past three days for violating health and safety protocols.

"For the last three days, may mga nasita tayong 12,000 violators. Karamihan sa mga ito ay violation sa pagsusuot ng face mask, face shield at social distancing," Olay said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

He said most of the violators from NCR were just given warnings (50%). Forty-four percent were made to pay fines, while 6% were brought to police stations if they were found to have other violations.

Año said more police would be deployed at night to enforce the curfew.

"Mas marami pa tayong mga pulis na ide-deploy maging sa gabi para sa mga curfew violator at sa mga establisimyentong patagong nag-ooperate sa ilalim ng Alert Level 4," he said.

(More cops will be deployed even at night to catch curfew violators and establishments secretly operating under Alert Level 4.) —KG, GMA News