Further easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the country should be carefully studied, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Tuesday in light of the gatherings due to election campaigns.
It might be more challenging to implement COVID-19 protocols should the government decide to shift to Alert Level 1 or the "new normal" given that more sorties are expected next month once the campaign period for local candidates begins, DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.
"Para sa amin po sa DILG, nababahala po kami dito sa ating campaign period, napakahirap po kasi mag-implement ng minimum public health standards sa panahon ng kampanya," Malaya said in a televised briefing.
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Metro Manila mayors are set to meet Tuesday to discuss the possible shift to Alert Level 1 by March as the country sees a continuous decline in COVID-19 infections.
"Dapat po natin pag-isipan ng mabuti kung tayo po ay handa na sa Alert Level 1 pero kung tatanungin po ang ating mayors sabi nila sa aming consultations with them ay nakahanda na sila sa Alert Level 1," Malaya added.
Health Sec. Francisco Duque III earlier said that he would prefer that the Philippines take a more "conservative" approach in easing COVID-19 restrictions as several countries begin to drastically ease pandemic protocols.
"Hindi ako naniniwala na malapit na yung panahon [na hindi na magfe-face mask] kasi lalo na at mayroon tayong mga campaign rally. Dapat pa natin lalong paigtingin ang pagsunod sa ating mga minimum public health standards," Duque said in a radio interview last week.
READ: When Will DOH Remove Face Mask Requirement?
The Philippines on Monday reported 1,427 new COVID-19 infections, setting a new record low for 2022. Active cases stand at 58,657
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