National Capital Region (NCR) moves from Alert Level 3 to the less stringent Alert Level 2 starting February 1

[ASEAN NOW News]

Less stringent. Motorists endure bumper-to-bumper morning traffic along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Jan. 24, 2022. More of this scenario is expected when Metro Manila de-escalates to the less stringent Alert Level 2 on February 1 to 15. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

 

MANILA – The de-escalation of the National Capital Region (NCR) from Alert Level 3 to the less stringent Alert Level 2 starting February 1 is a sign that the public observed health protocols and other guidelines to contain the Covid-19 surge, according to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday.

 

NCR was placed on Level 3 on January 3 when the Omicron variant caused a rise in cases.

 

Año said monitoring will continue as people are expected to flock to malls and other public places while the workforce will increase.

 

“The most important thing is the public’s cooperation. We did not reach Level 4. People stopped going to malls and doing other activities. That is a good sign that we have learned so much from this pandemic,” he said in a taped interview shared with reporters on Sunday.

 

He said Filipinos have also realized the importance of getting vaccinated, recognizing the symptoms of Covid-19, and isolating when needed.

 

He emphasized that NCR's health care system coped with the surge.

 

“Even if the number of infections surged, our health care facilities were not overwhelmed. Many got well at home so now we can resume our economic activities. Let us just be responsible, look out for ourselves. When you are a close contact, isolate right away. Look out for symptoms,” he said.

 

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases also placed Batanes, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal in Luzon; Biliran and Southern Leyte in the Visayas; and Basilan in Mindanao under Alert Level 2 until February 15, according to a statement by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, also acting presidential spokesperson.

 

Aside from the general guidelines, local government units may impose other restrictions subject to evaluation. (PNA)

 

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