Four areas in WV under Alert Level 1, other four stay in Alert Level 2

By Sean Rafio

It’s 50-50.

Half or four areas of Western Visayas will slide to the Alert Level 1 due to a slowdown in COVID-19 cases while the other four will remain in Alert Level 2.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles on Sunday, Feb 27, 2022, announced that the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras and Bacolod City will slide to Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved placing Antique, Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, and Negros Occidental under Alert Level 2 starting next month.

Latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6 as of Sunday indicated that Aklan only logged 3 new COVID-19 cases, Capiz with 10, Guimaras with 8, and Bacolod City with 7.

The same data also showed that Iloilo province logged the most number of new cases with 55 followed by Iloilo City (13), Negros Occidental (7) and Antique (6).

As to the number of active cases, Iloilo province has 3,087 followed by Negros Occidental (2,468), Antique (1,798), Iloilo City (549), Bacolod City (238), Capiz (227), Aklan (157), and Guimaras (113).

PROTOCOLS

Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed without regard to age and comorbidities.

Also, 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.

Face-to-face classes for basic education shall be subject to prior approval of the Office of the President.

The DOH had said that Alert Level 1 could be considered as the “new normal.”

The following are the rules Under Alert Level 2:

1. 1. Intrazonal and interzonal movement shall be allowed. However, reasonable restrictions may be imposed by the LGUs, which should not be stricter as those prescribed under higher alert levels and subject to the oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of their respective RIATF.
   2. Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments shall not be allowed to operate, or be undertaken in areas classified under Alert Level 2 except as may be authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President.
   3. The following establishments, or activities, shall be allowed to operate, or be undertaken at a maximum of 50% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years of age, even if unvaccinated, and 70% outdoor venue capacity. Provided, that all on-site workers/employees of these establishments, or organizers of activities are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and MPHS shall be strictly maintained. Provided further, that there is no objection from the LGU where these activities may take place
      1. Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE);
      2. Permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers;
      3. Visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like;
      4. Amusement parks or theme parks;
      5. Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues;
      6. Cinemas and movie houses;
      7. Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education subject to prior approval of the Office of the President;
      8. Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training;
      9. In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 and for the cremains of the COVID-19 deceased;
      10. Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject to the health and safety guidelines as approved by the IATF;
      11. Dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols;
      12. Personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options, subject to the sector-specific protocols of the DTI;
      13. Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for individual non-contact exercise and sports; provided that patrons/clients and workers/employees wear face masks at all times and subject to DTI sector-specific protocols.
      14. Film, music, and television production subject to the joint guidelines as may be issued by the DTI, DOLE, and the DOH;
      15. Contact sports approved by the LGU where such games shall be held;
      16. Funfairs/peryas or kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;
      17. Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters; and
      18. Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.
   4. Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall remain to be fully operational and shall adhere to at least a 80% on-site workforce. Those assigned to work off-site shall be subject to alternative work arrangements as approved by the head of agency in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Heads of agencies providing health and emergency frontline services, laboratory and testing services, border control, or other critical services shall operate at a workforce beyond the minimum as may be necessary to deliver their mandates