Alert Level 1 still too soon for NCR, says expert

It's premature to ease the COVID-19 community quarantine in Metro Manila to Alert Level 1 after February 15, vaccine expert panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante said on Monday.

In a Laging Handa briefing, Solante said the rate of transmission remained high despite the decreasing number of new cases daily.

"In my opinion, we still need to stay in Alert Level 2. It's too early and it's too drastic to change to a lower alert level," Solante said.

"Mataas pa rin ang hawaan [The level of transmission remains high.] We need to be vigilant with these numbers," he added.

"Tignan muna natin in the next two weeks kung medyo maganda ang palo ng mga kaso natin. Kung mababa na,  then let's see [if we can ease the restrictions]," Solante said.

[Let us observe how the number of COVID-19 cases will look in the next two weeks. If it goes down, then we can consider it.]

Since February 1, the daily number of new COVID-19 cases ranged from 6,800 to 9,000 per day.

Under Alert Level 2 — the second lowest in the new alert level system — certain establishments and activities are allowed at 50% capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults (and minors, even if unvaccinated) and 70% capacity outdoors. 

Solante urged parents and guardians to allow children aged 5 to 11 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 starting today.

"Children, especially those who are 5 to 11 years old, are also vulnerable just like the elderly. Extending this vaccination, protecting this population is an important step of the government to protect the community," Solante said.

"Clinical trials [of COVID-19 vaccines for 5 to 11 years old] done in the United States showed it is 90% protective against infection and against getting severe COVID-19," he added. —NB, GMA News