NCR's descent to Alert Level 1 depends on metrics —DOH

The probability of the National Capital Region (NCR) deescalating to Alert Level 1 will be based on the metrics, as the government continues to ramp up efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.

"Ang alert level metrics natin para sa Alert Level 1, kailangang maoserbahan nating maigi. Ang low risk [classification] ng NCR ay kailangang ma-sustain natin ng dalawang incubation period, obserbahan natin," health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at the Laging Handa briefing.

(The metrics for Alert Level 1 should be observed carefully. The low-risk classification for NCR should be sustained by two incubation periods.)

"Always remember 'yung mobility at saka 'yung pagsunod sa minimum public health standards, at response ng local government will matter a lot," Vergeire added.

(Always remember that the mobility, compliance with minimum public health standards, and local government units' response will matter a lot.)

Vergeire said that if mobility increases, the DOH anticipates the public's low compliance to minimum health standards will result in increased number of COVID-19 cases.

"We remind everybody, magtulong-tulong po tayo para masustena natin itong low risk o mababang mga kaso (Let's work together so that we can sustain this low-risk status or low number of cases) so that we can eventually be deescalated to Alert Level 1," she pointed out.

Vergeire made her statement as some groups from the private sector are urging the government to deescalate the NCR to Alert Level 1 before Christmas Day.

But on the other hand, some groups in the private sector want the the government  refrain from implementing Alert Level 1 in time for the Christmas rush.

Earlier, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved the deescalation of the quarantine status in Metro Manila to Alert Level 2 from November 5, 2021 until November 21, 2021. —LBG, GMA News