ILOILO City – The “new normal” has dawned in this city. Effective today, it is Alert Level 1 here, the lowest pandemic alert level.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) yesterday granted Mayor Jerry Treñas’ appeal for a de-escalation of the city’s alert level from No. 2 to No 1.
“Para sa akon ready na gid kita makadto sa Alert Level 1,” said Treñas, citing the low coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) average daily attack rate (ADAR).
Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Responses Vivencio Dizon and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año late afternoon yesterday informed Treñas of the taskforce’s favorable response to the mayor’s request.
Malacañang through Acting Presidential Spokesperson Martin Andanar subsequently made the formal announcement. The city’s Alert Level 1 status will be until March 15.
According to Andanar, Iloilo City met the criteria for Alert Level 1 of the IATF’s Sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics.
For an area to shift to Alert Level 1, the following IATF metrics must be met:
* low to minimal risk classification
* total bed utilization rate less than 50 percent
* 70 percent of target population (or 80 percent of total population) and 80 percent of target senior citizens are fully vaccinated
According to Treñas, the healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) of Iloilo City is now below 50 percent, and this would further go down once the 77-COVID bed Iloilo City Modular Hospital is factored.
He also clarified that “hospitals and healthcare units in Iloilo City, which is the regional capital of Western Visayas, are not only serving city residents.”
“Considering that most of the hospitals are referral hospitals, a significant portion of the admitted patients come from nearby provinces and cities,” Treñas informed the IATF on March 8.
The further lowering of the city’s alert level will allow the resumption of more economic activities.
WHAT’S IN STORE?
Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed without regard to age and comorbidities.
All establishments, persons or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards.
Meantime, face-to-face classes for basic education shall be subject to prior approval of the Office of the President.
Other protocols, among others, to be observed under Alert Level 1 also include:
* Well-fitted face masks shall be worn properly at all times, whether outdoors or in indoor private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea, except when eating and drinking, participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained, and practicing outdoor sports/exercise activities where physical distance can be maintained.
* All private offices and workplaces, including public and private construction sites, may operate at full 100 percent capacity, consistent with national issuances on vaccination requirements for onsite work. However, they may continue to provide flexible and alternative work arrangements as deemed appropriate based on function or individual risk.
* Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall likewise adhere to 100 percent onsite workforce. Offsite work shall be under such work arrangements subject to relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the President.
* Public transportation in areas under Alert Level 1 shall be at full seating capacity. For intrazonal and interzonal travels involving public land transportation between an area with a higher alert level classification and an area under Alert Level 1, the passenger capacity shall be that which has the lower passenger capacity rate between the point of origin and point of destination. For aviation, maritime and rail public transport operating in and out of Alert Levels 1 areas, the passenger capacity will be at 100 percent. The use of acrylic and/or plastic dividers in public transportation shall not be required. The use of the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) travel management system shall likewise not be required for interzonal travel to areas under Alert Level 1.
* On contact tracing, the use of health declaration forms/paper-based contact tracing shall not be required for all the agencies and establishments under Alert Level 1. On the other hand, the use of digital contact tracing such as the StaySafe.PH application is optional for all the agencies and establishments.
* On testing prioritization, testing protocols shall be implemented, consistent with national guidelines, for individuals who are unvaccinated or have higher exposure risk pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 148-B and No. 149, s. 2021. In addition, testing using RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) shall be recommended and prioritized for: Priority Groups A2 (persons above 60 years old) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) and Priority Group A1 or healthcare workers. Testing shall be optional for other groups not stated above. It shall not be recommended for asymptomatic close contacts unless symptoms will develop, and should immediately isolate regardless of test results. Instead, symptom monitoring is recommended. Should testing still be used, testing should be done at least five days from the day of last exposure. Testing shall also not be recommended for screening asymptomatic individuals. Meanwhile, testing using antigen tests shall be recommended only for symptomatic individuals and in instances wherein RT-PCR is not available, consistent with previously issued guidelines.
* The Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Committees (HIPCC) may implement testing protocols in health facilities for health workers and patients based on their assessment of risk and benefit.
* On isolation and quarantine, updated quarantine protocols for incoming international travelers shall be consistent with IATF Resolution No. 160 A/B, and updated isolation and quarantine protocols for general public and healthcare workers and authorized sectors shall be consistent with DOH Department Memorandum No. 2022-0013.
* In the case of reintegration, isolation can be discontinued upon completion of the recommended isolation period, provided that they do not have fever for at least 24 hours without the use of any antipyretic medications, and shall have improvement of respiratory signs and symptoms.
* For the purpose of claiming sick leave, health benefits or other relevant processes wherein the proofs of COVID-19 management are necessary, a medical certification may suffice provided it should include the following minimum information: name of patient, severity of symptoms, diagnosis as probable or confirmed COVID-19, and date of end of quarantine and/or isolation period.
Meanwhile, individuals 18 years old and above will be required to present proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings or entry into indoor establishments, such as but not limited to:
* In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 and for the cremains of the COVID-19 deceased;
* All indoor dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants and eateries. For outdoor or al fresco dining and take out channels, no proof of full vaccination is required;
* All indoor personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology and other similar procedures including home service options;
* Fitness studios, gyms and venues for exercise and sports;
* All indoor cinemas or movie houses operating at full capacity;
* Meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibition events and permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers;
* Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls and theaters;
* Indoor ancillary establishments in hotels and other accommodation establishments; and
* Venues for election-related events.
Proof of full vaccination shall be required before entry in the list of establishments identified under the principles of 3C’s strategy against COVID-19.
Children ages 17 and below shall not be required to present proof of vaccination status. (With reports from the Philippine News Agency)/PN
