Metro Manila will be upgraded to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 starting Jan. 3 until Jan. 15 to guard against a further increase of cases in the capital region and the looming threat of the Omicron variant.
Alert Level 3 means the operating capacities for restaurant dine-in, cinemas, and gyms will be reduced, and face-to-face class, funfairs, and contact sports will be prohibited.
Here's what you need to know as Metro Manila transitions back to Alert Level 3:
What are the travel rules?
Travel within Metro Manila and going in and out of the capital region is allowed with restrictions that may be imposed by local government units. These restrictions should not be stricter as those prescribed under Alert Level and are subject to oversight.
Are minors allowed to go out?
Persons below 18 years of age and those belonging to vulnerable sectors are allowed to go out of their homes to buy basic goods and access essential services or for work.
Individual outdoor exercises are still allowed for all ages regardless of comorbidities or vaccination status.
What are the prohibited activities?
These establishments and/or activities are characterized by the IATF as high-risk and are not allowed to operate or be undertaken under Alert Level 3:
1. Face to face or in-person classes for basic education, except those previously approved by the IATF and/or the Office of the President.
2. Contact sports, except those conducted under a bubble-type setup as provided for under relevant guidelines adopted by the IATF, Games and Amusement Board, and Philippine Sports Commission, and approved by the LGU where such games will be held.
3. Funfairs/peryas and kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides.
4. Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters.
5. Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments except as may be authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President.
6. Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.
Which establishments, activities are allowed to operate?
These establishments and/or activities are allowed to operate or be undertaken at 30% indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50% outdoor capacity.
1. Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.
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 higher education and for technical-vocational education and training.
8. 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.
9. Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF.
10. Dine-in services in food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries.
11. 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.
12. Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for non-contact exercise and sports, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols, provided that patrons/clients and workers/employees wear face masks at all.
Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.
