Velasco backs lowering alert status in NCR to level 2 in November

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Wednesday said they are supporting recommendations to lower Metro Manila’s COVID-19 alert status to Level 2 by the second half of November.

Metro Manila currently remains under Alert Level 3 until November 14, after the government extended it to avoid a potential spike of COVID-19 cases.

“Downgrading Metro Manila’s lockdown restrictions to Alert Level 2 would mean that more businesses will resume operations and operate at increased capacity, thus allowing more Filipinos to regain their jobs and income,” he said in a statement.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments — including restaurants, gyms, cinemas and movie houses — will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated. 

Velasco noted that the National Capital Region reports a steady decline in new daily infections with around 80% of its residents having been full vaccinated and 96% having already received their first dose.

“Given these data, we can confidently reopen as many businesses as possible and get our economy back on track. Lowering the alert level in NCR as soon as possible could jumpstart the economy with increased consumer spending encouraging increase in production and economic activity, thereby bringing about employment opportunities for our kababayans,” he said.

COVID-19 vaccines

Velasco also called on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to check the effectivity or efficiency of each COVID-19 vaccine brand to inform the public when to get a booster shot or another round of vaccine.

He also urged those who have not yet been inoculated to avail of the vaccines procured by the national government.

“This is the only way to ensure the safety of everyone as we slowly go back to our normal lives, to the way things were before the pandemic. Until then, let us continue to abide by the minimum health standards set by medical and science experts, such as wearing of face mask and maintaining physical distancing, for us to stay safe during the health crisis,” he added.

The national government is aiming to administer one million to 1.5 million of COVID-19 vaccine doses on a daily basis beginning November 20, according to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA News