Downgrade OK than stricter alert level in Metro Manila: Palace

MANILA – There is nothing to lose by downgrading the alert level status in Metro Manila from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2, Malacañang said on Friday.

In an online press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it would be harder for Metro Manila residents if the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) decided to impose a more stringent alert level in the country’s metropolis.

Hence, the decision to place Metro Manila under Alert Level 2 from November 5 to 21 is “good news,” because there would be more economic activities in the region, he said.

“Alam ninyo po mahirap kasi kung magtataas ng alert level kasi lilimitahan natin iyong mga magtatrabaho, lilimitahan natin iyong pagbubukas ng ekonomiya. Pero siguro naman kung reverse gaya nito na pagbaba eh wala pong mawawala (You know, it’s difficult to raise the alert level because you will limit the number of people who could go to work, as well as the reopening of the economy. But if you lower the alert level, there’s nothing to lose),” Roque said.

Roque on Thursday night announced the IATF-EID’s decision to de-escalate alert level status in Metro Manila to Alert Level 2.

He said the IATF-EID’s decision to impose Alert Level 2 is based on data.

“Talaga naman pong konserbatibo ang IATF kaya nga po minsan talagang nagkakaroon nang matinding debate na dapat magbukas na. Pero ‘pag nagsang-ayon po ang lahat na kinakailangan i-deescalate, mayroon naman pong dahilan iyan dahil nga po importante mas maraming hanapbuhay sa ating mga kababayan (IATF is conservative, that’s why, there are heated debates sometimes on the further reopening of economy). But if many agreed with the de-escalation, there’s a reason for that because it’s more important to open more job opportunities for our fellow countrymen),” he said.

Under Alert Level 2, the intrazonal and interzonal movement shall be allowed, but “reasonable restrictions” may be imposed by the local government units (LGUs).

The downgrading of alert level in Metro Manila also allows children to go outside of their homes, Roque said.

“Pinapayagan na pong lumabas ang mga bata sa Metro Manila under Alert Level 2 (Children in Metro Manila can now go out now that it is under Alert Level 2),” he said.

Roque added that higher education institutions may also resume limited face-to-face classes, subject to the guidelines imposed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Citing the CHED guidelines, Roque said in-person classes would only be allowed, so long as faculty members and students are fully-vaccinated, LGUs give their nod, HEI facilities are retrofitted, and the room capacity is only at 50 percent.

He reminded the public not to let their guard down, saying the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) remains a threat to public health.

He also reiterated the government’s appeal for the public to continue observing the minimum public health standards to protect themselves against Covid-19.

“Hindi po ibig sabihin na bumaba ng Alert Level 2 ay magpapabaya na tayo. Anytime po habang nandiyan pa si Covid-19 ay pupuwedeng sumipa muli ang mga kaso (It doesn’t mean that we should be complacent now that we are under Alert Level 2. Anytime, cases could still rise so long as Covid-19 is still there),” Roque said.