PNP preparing for higher COVID-19 alert levels

The Philippine National Police is preparing for the implementation of stringent measures under Alert Level 4 if the current protocols fail to prevent the increase in COVID-19 cases, PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos has said.

Carlos said police were prepared for the recalibration of deployment and strategies.

“We will take the cue from the NCR (National Capital Region) which has already implemented Alert Level 3 starting Monday, January 3. So far, everything is working smoothly. We instructed our police personnel to be fully aware of the guidelines,” Carlos said in a statement.

“If this won’t serve to curb the COVID cases in their area, then there is a bigger possibility that a stricter health protocol will be implemented in their LGU (local government unit),” he added.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has raised Alert Level 3 in the 14 cities and provinces from January 9 to 15 due to the steep increase in COVID-19 cases over the past days.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the IATF was also looking at the healthcare utilization rate metric for determining alert level classifications to better reflect the available healthcare workers.

The NCR was also placed under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15 following the sharp increase in new COVID-19 infections in the country.

Under Alert Level 3, establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

Face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs or perya, and casinos are among the activities and establishments that are prohibited under Alert Level 3.

Work at government offices is limited to 60% of their onsite capacity.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday logged 21,819 new COVID-19 cases increasing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 2,910,664. —NB, GMA News