IATF checking lowering of alert level in NCR amid threat of Omicron — DOH

The Department of Health on Tuesday said the Inter-Agency Task Force is looking into whether it is the right time to lower the alert level in the National Capital Region (NCR) amid the threat of the Omicron variant.

NCR will remain under Alert Level 2 until December 15.

“With the threat of the Omicron variant, pinagaaralan pong maigi ng IATF kung napapanahon ba na ibaba po natin talaga ang alert level,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a radio interview.

(With the threat of the Omicron variant, the IATF is looking into whether it is the right time to lower the alert level.)

“Dahil mas gusto natin mabantayan ang ating mga komunidad (we want to monitor our communities more),” she added.

Vergeire on Monday said that all provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities in the Philippines are under Alert Level 2.

However, she said that to be deescalated to level 1, areas must have a vaccination coverage of 70% for their senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, and target population.

“Sa ngayon po ang nakaka achieve pa lang niyan is the NCR (at present, the only area that has achieved this is NCR),” she said.

Vergeire also previously said areas must sustain a low-risk classification for two incubation periods and have sufficient compliance with the safety seal. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA News