ILOILO City – This city’s de-escalation to Alert Level 1 is effective until March 15 only.
But Mayor Jerry Treñas is confident that the city will be able to sustain its “new normal” status beyond Tuesday next week.
He cited, among others, the ready-to-operate 77-bed Iloilo City Modular Hospital which could significantly further lower the city’s healthcare utilization rate (HCUR).
Currently, the city’s HCUR is 42.52 percent and its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) average daily attack rate is 3.36 percent, making its risk classification low.
On Friday, Treñas issued Executive Order (EO) No. 024-2022 setting the guidelines in the implementation of Alert Level 1.
All inbound travelers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to undergo and submit negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction) test results, and will no longer be required to undergo quarantine.
For the fully vaccinated, the pre-travel requirements include vaccination card or a vaccination certificate or a document issued by competent foreign authorities proving that they are fully vaccinated, and a valid government-issued identification card (ID).
The partially vaccinated and unvaccinated traveler are also no longer required to undergo RT-PCR testing upon arrival but they have to submit negative RT-PCR result not more than 72 hours from the date of travel and a government-issue ID as pre-travel requirements.
Once the vaccinated and partially and unvaccinated travelers develop symptoms associated with COVID-19, they must immediately isolate and submit themselves to swabbing at the covered gym of La Paz’s district plaza. Their specimens would then be tested at the USWAG Iloilo Molecular Laboratory and while waiting for the results they must isolate.
Meanwhile, the consumption in public of any kind of liquor or alcoholic beverages and the like is also allowed subject to compliance with minimum health protocols and existing restrictions as imposed by local ordinances such as the “Liquor Ban for Minors”.
The Iloilo Esplanade, playgrounds and courts located in public plazas remain open to the public provided that minimum public health protocols shall be strictly observed.
Also, 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 Level 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.
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.
Among others, under Alert Level 1, it shall also be observed that at all times, well-fitted facemasks 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 on-site 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 on-site workforce. Off-site 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./PN
