Alert Level 1 vs. Alert Level 2: What Will Change?
Pandemic restrictions in Metro Manila could be tightened to Alert Level 2 from the prevailing Alert Level 1 if COVID-19 infections continue to rise, the Department of Health said Monday.
The last time Metro Manila was under Alert Level 2 was in February this year. Since March, the capital region has been under the most relaxed Alert Level 1 which allows all businesses to operate at 100% capacity.
Should Alert Level 2 be implemented again, here are the rules you need to know based on previous guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 response subject to changes:
Who can go out?
Just like in Alert Level 1, children are still allowed to go outdoors for leisure activities.
What are the travel restrictions?
Interzonal and intrazonal travel are still allowed subject to restrictions that may be imposed by local government units.
What are the operating capacities of businesses?
For essential industries or those that provide basic goods and services, operating capacity is still at 100%.
For the following industries, operating capacity is 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:
- Dine-in services subject to DTI-specific protocols
- Personal care establishments such as salons, barbershops, and spas
- Fitness studios, and gyms subject to DTI-specific protocols
- Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE)
- Social events like parties, weddings, and family reunions
- Tourist attractions like libraries, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, and public gardens
- Amusement parks or theme parks
- Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues
- Cinemas
- Contact sports approved by the LGU where such games shall be held;
- Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education subject to prior approval of the Office of the President
- Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training
- In-person religious gatherings
- 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
- Licensure exams and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject to health and safety guidelines
- Film, music, and television production subject to the joint guidelines as may be issued by the DTI, DOLE, and the DOH
- Funfairs or the perya
- Karaoke bars, concert halls and theaters, venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences
- Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household
What activities or businesses are prohibited?
The following are prohibited from operating unless authorized by the IATF or Office of the President:
- Casinos
- Horse racing
- Cockfighting and operation of cockpits
- Lottery, betting shops, and other gaming establishments
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