Lower alert level possible once drop in Covid-19 cases sustained

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday said the alert level in Metro Manila may be eased in time for the holiday season should the drop in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases be sustained.

Citing the Department of Health (DOH), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said authorities will consider downgrading Metro Manila’s current Alert Level 3 status to Alert Level 2 depending on the region’s average daily attack rate (ADAR) and health care utilization.

“Well, nagsabi na po ang DOH – malaki po ang posibilidad na bumaba. Ang inaantay na lang natin iyong ADAR, dapat from 7.7 ay bumaba po to 7 percent (the DOH has spoken—there is a huge chance that it will be eased. We are just waiting for the ADAR to decrease from 7.7 to 7 percent),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

Despite the drop in Covid-19 numbers, Roque emphasized the importance of the continued adherence to minimum public health standards.

“Bagama’t ang datos ay nagpapakita na pupuwedeng ibaba nga po sa mas mababang alert level ang Metro Manila, importante po, huwag tayong magpabaya. Huwag tayong mag-isip na tapos na ang pandemya, dahil nandiyan pa rin po si Covid-19 at magpatuloy pa tayo at lalo nating paigtingin ang mask, hugas, iwas (Although data shows that we can lower the alert level of Metro Manila, it is important not to let our guard down. Let’s not think that this pandemic is over and let’s continue wearing our masks, washing our hands, and physical distancing),” he added.

Roque said some social gatherings are already allowed on a limited capacity under Alert Level 3.

Metro Manila as well as nearby provinces namely Cavite, Laguna, Rizal are currently under Alert Level 3 until Nov. 14.

As of Tuesday, the DOH reported 2,303 additional cases of Covid-19, the lowest single-day new infections that brought the country’s total tally to 2,792,65.

Recoveries reached 2,708,466 after 4,655 got better while deaths reached 43,404 after 128 succumbed to the respiratory disease.

Better holiday season

Meanwhile, Roque expressed optimism that Filipinos can expect a better holiday season this year as Covid-19 cases continue to decrease.

“Pupuwede naman pong bumaba nga ang alert level. At ibig sabihin po diyan ay mas marami talagang negosyo ang magbubukas para lalong sumigla ang ating ekonomiya at mas maraming makapagtrabaho at maraming makapag-noche buena ano, kapag bukas po ang ekonomiya (The alert level can be lowered. And that means more businesses will open for our economy to be more vibrant and more people can work and enjoy noche buena),” Roque said.

He said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will soon be discussing whether holiday parties and other gatherings will be allowed.

“Sa detalye po kung ano iyong mga papayagan at hindi papayagan, iyan po siguro aý pag-uusapan na dahil buwan na ng Nobyembre (Details about what will be allowed and what will not be allowed will be discussed since it’s already November),” he added.

Roque reiterated his call to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 to avoid returning to stricter lockdowns.