Abalos says NCR may be under Alert Level 2 soon

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Benhur Abalos on Thursday said that he is optimistic that the National Capital Region (NCR) will soon be placed under Alert Level 2.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Abalos said a decline was already seen in the occupancy rate of ICUs, wards, and isolation beds, as well as in the number of active COVID-19 cases in the NCR.

Further, Abalos said Metro Manila may probably reach the target 92% vaccinated population by next month.

However, Abalos said Metro Manila had a 7.4% daily attack rate, but the requirement percentage to be placed under Alert Level 2 is 7%, which meant the region missed by 0.4%.

"Konti na lang eh, andun na eh. Ako talaga naniniwala papunta na tayo ru'n... I'm very positive here, talagang mag-a-alert Level 2 na tayo," he said.

(We are almost there, it's just a little fraction of a percentage, we're already there. I'm very positive that we will be under Alert Level 2.)

November 15 will be the start of the extension of the operating hours of malls in the metropolis, Abalos said.

Curfew hours imposition in NCR will be lifted starting on Friday, November 5.

However,  Abalos earlier said that some local government units would still implement curfew for minors.

Alert Level 3, which has been in effect in Metro Manila, has been extended from November 1 to 14. —LBG, GMA News