100K workers expected to return to NCR labor market due to lowering of Alert Level 2

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (file photo)

MANILA – With the further lowering of the alert level in the National Capital Region (NCR), Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said some 100,000 jobs are expected to return to the labor market.

In a Palace briefing Monday, Lopez said around 1.8 million jobs were affected since the NCR was reverted to the most stringent community quarantine status in early July due to threats of the Delta variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Based on our estimates, around 100,000 jobs have not yet returned before Level 2. We expect these jobs to return as we are now in Alert Level 2,” he said.

Metro Manila was initially placed under Alert Level 3 until November 14.

It was put under Alert Level 2 last Friday as Covid-19 cases continued to go down last week.

Lopez called on Filipinos to continue practicing the minimum health protocols like wearing face masks, washing, and sanitizing hands, and maintaining physical distancing.

As there are proposals to make the wearing of face shields non-mandatory, Lopez urged Filipinos to wear something that will protect the eyes to avoid contracting Covid-19.

Observing the public health standards will also prevent another surge in Covid-19 cases and the Alert Level 2 can be maintained until next year, he said.

The trade chief said as daily cases go down to hundreds, Alert Level 1 may be expected, which means more economic activities and jobs will be allowed to return. (PNA)