Alert Level 1 for NCR? Vergeire says safe space, hospital situation to be considered

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday said the government will check “safe spaces” and hospital situations if the National Capital Region (NCR) can be shifted to Alert Level 1.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Vergeire said they are seeing that the decline of COVID-19 cases will continue to the second week of March, but pointed out that it is not enough to de-escalate the alert level.

“To be de-escalated to Alert Level 1, kailangan 'yung ating hospital system ay maayos, pati rin 'yung ating bakunahan, safety seal na certification para masigurado natin na may safe spaces ang ating komunidad saka-sakali pong magde-escalate tayo,” she said.

(To be de-escalated to Alert Level 1, the hospital system should be stable, as well as the vaccination, safety seal certification, to ensure safe spaces in our community if ever we would de-escalate.)

Currently, NCR has a daily average of 1,200 COVID-19 cases, Vergeire said.

On Monday, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said it's premature to ease the COVID-19 community quarantine in Metro Manila to Alert Level 1. Alert Level 2 is currently in effect in NCR until February 15.

Solante said the rate of transmission remained high despite the decreasing number of new cases daily.

"In my opinion, we still need to stay in Alert Level 2. It's too early and it's too drastic to change to a lower alert level," Solante said.

"Mataas pa rin ang hawaan [The level of transmission remains high.] We need to be vigilant with these numbers," he added.

Under Alert Level 2 — the second lowest in the new alert level system — certain establishments and activities are allowed at 50% capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults (and minors, even if unvaccinated), and 70% capacity outdoors.

Also under Alert Level 2, the implementation of the " no vaccination, no ride" policy barring unvaccinated people in Metro Manila from boarding public transport will be suspended, the Department of Transportation earlier said.

Alert level 1, meanwhile, are for areas with low COVID-19 case transmission, bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate.

Movement of people will be allowed in areas under Alert Level 1 except for reasonable restrictions on activities and spaces that are closed, crowded, or enable close contact.

Under Alert Level 1, except for those located in areas under granular lockdowns, all establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it follows minimum health standards. —KG, GMA News