Palace: Eased NCR COVID-19 Alert Level possible but we cannot let our guard down

Malacañang said Tuesday that easing quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila would only happen if the drop in COVID-19 cases and the health care utilization rate would be sustained.

"We also know that gatherings happen during Christmas which could cause a spike in COVID-19 cases. Bagama't ang datos ay nagpapakita na pwedeng ibaba nga sa mas mababang alert level ang Metro Manila, importante po huwag tayong magpabaya, huwag tayong mag-isip na tapos na ang pandemya," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

(While cases are down and data shows we can ease the Alert Level in Metro Manila, but cannot let our guard down. We cannot think that this pandemic is over.)

"Malaki ang posibilidad na bumaba. Ang hinihintay na lang natin iyong ADAR (average daily attack rate), dapat from 7.7 bumaba po to 7 (There is a big possibility that quarantine restrictions will be eased. We are waiting for the daily attack rate to go from 7.7 to 7.) If the daily attack rate, number of COVID-19 cases and health care utilization rate continue to go down, we can ease the Alert Level and we can open more businesses," Roque added.

Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 from November 1 to 14.

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.

Likewise, Alert Level 3 will allow increased operational capacity for public transport to a maximum of 70% starting November 4.

Roque said Tuesday that there were at least 27 million Filipinos who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 so far. Eight million of the fully vaccinated are in Metro Manila.

The government was looking to vaccinate 80% of the country's 109 million population by May 9, 2022. — DVM, GMA News