NCR, other areas to remain under Alert Level 1 until end-May

Metro Manila will remain under Alert Level 1—the loosest form of COVID-19 restrictions—until the end of the month, Malacañang announced over the weekend.

In a statement citing the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), Acting Presidential Spokesperson Martin Andanar said the National Capital Region (NCR) will remain under Alert Level 1 from May 16, 2022 until May 31, 2022.

Here are the other areas placed under Alert Level 1 for the period:

LUZON

• Cordillera Administrative Region: Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Baguio City;
• Region I: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, and Dagupan City;
• Region II: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and City of Santiago;
• Region III: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City, and Olongapo City;
• Region IV-A: Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Lucena City; Region IV-B: Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, and Puerto Princesa City; and
• Region V: Albay, Catanduanes, and Naga City. 

VISAYAS

• Region VI: Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Bacolod City, and Iloilo City;
• Region VII: Siquijor, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City; and
• Region VIII: Biliran, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc City, and Tacloban City. 

MINDANAO

• Region IX: Zamboanga City;
• Region X: Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, and Iligan City;
• Region XI: Davao City; and
• CARAGA: Surigao del Sur and Butuan City.

The Alert Level 1 allows intrazonal and interzonal travel regardless of age and comorbidities, and all establishments, persons, or activities to operate, work at full on-site capacity subject to minimum public health standards.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III last month said the country may remain under Alert Level 1 until the end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term on June 30, 2022.

Latest data available from the Department of Health (DOH) indicate that the country has so far recorded a total of 148.237 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered as of May 13.

This includes 66.003 million first doses, 68.637 million complete doses, and 13.596 million booster doses.

Alert Level 2

The following provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs), and independent component cities (ICCs), meanwhile, shall be placed under Alert Level 2 for the same period:

Luzon

• Cordillera Administrative Region: Benguet, Ifugao
• Region IV-A: Quezon Province
• Region IV-B: Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan
• Region V: Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Sorsogon

Visayas

• Region VI: Antique and Negros Occidental
• Region VII: Bohol, Cebu Province, and Negros Oriental
• Region VIII: Leyte, Northern Samar, and Western Samar

Mindanao

• Region IX: City of Isabela, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay
• Region X: Lanao del Norte; Region XI: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao Occidental
• Region XII: General Santos City, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato
• CARAGA: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte
• Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Basilan, Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi

Under Alert Level 2, certain establishments and activities are allowed at 50% capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults (and minors, even if unvaccinated), and 70% capacity outdoors.

“Alert Level classifications of component cities and municipalities under IATF Resolution Nos. 165-G, 166-A, 167-A, and 167-C (s. 2022) not otherwise affected by this Resolution shall remain in effect until May 31, 2022,” Andanar said. — with Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News