NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — As Covid-19 instances continue to rise in the capital and around the country, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) has recommended that the National Capital Region (NCR) be placed under the least restrictive Alert Level 1 beginning March 1.

Romando Artes, officer-in-charge and General Manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said the recommendation had been sent to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and was unanimously approved by the MMC, which is made up of the 17 mayors of the NCR, in a virtual briefing on Wednesday.

“Earlier today, the resolution was transmitted to the IATF. The MMC’s strategy for easing regional limits is to “open up the economy to ensure employment creation,” according to Artes.

According to him, the positive rate in NCR has decreased to 4.64 percent, “far below” the World Health Organization’s 5 percent threshold (WHO).

The information he used came from the Department of Health (DOH), and it was based on the distribution of RT-PCR tests performed and positivity rates reported by local government entities (LGU).

The NCR’s healthcare usage rate (HCUR) and Covid-19 bed use rate are both on the decline, at 24.8 percent as of Monday.

Despite continued political activity like motorcades and caravans in preparation for the 2022 elections, he remarked that there was no noticeable increase in Covid-19 instances.

He added the MMDA is considering expanding the modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding system to cover morning rush hour to handle the potential surge in vehicular volume on NCR routes.

The UVVRP is currently only in effect on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., except on holidays, and only applies to private vehicles.

“We’re looking into expanding our modified number coding scheme’s coverage from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.” I met with our Traffic Discipline Office’s district heads. “A mild traffic condition is noticed on main thoroughfares from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to their estimate,” Artes stated.

Due to a paucity of public transit, he added there are presently no plans to use the number coding scheme for entire days.

Manila is ready to go.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso stated that the city is prepared to adopt Alert Level 1 if necessary.

“In the case of Manila, kami naman ay handa, ang mga pasilidad ay nandiyan, salamat kay Doc Willie yung inadvise niyang gamot tangan tangan ng Maynila, ang aming oxygen level reserve ay mataas, at ang aming mga doctor at nurse ay malusog, ligtas (we

De-escalation to the lowest limitation, he claims, will assist those who have lost their jobs in finding new ones, while allowing affected enterprises to reopen.

People in Manila, according to Domagoso, have been calling for a change to the new normal so that their children might once again attend face-to-face classes.

“Tulad ng sinasabi ni Doc Wiliie na yung mental health is already a concern sa buhay ng mga estudyante natin at ng ibang indibidwal sa buhay ng mga estudyante natin at ng ibang indibidwal sa buhay ng mga estudyante natin at ng ibang indi Kailangan na makalabas ng lolo’t lola at makabalik sa eskwelahan ang mga bata (Mental health of students and other folks is already a concern, as Doc Willie stated.) The elderly should begin to leave their homes, and the children should return to school),” he stated.

As of February 22, a total of 15,253 children aged 5 to 11 years old in Maila had received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with 130,790 minors aged 12 to 17 years old having been fully vaccinated.

The number of ongoing Covid-19 cases in the city has been reduced to only 359.

The IATF is debating it.

The MMC resolution will be discussed at the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases meeting on Thursday, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) (IATF).

“The MMC resolution has been sent to the IATF, and it will be discussed at the IATF conference tomorrow (Thursday). Its implications for election campaign activities must also be addressed and evaluated. We have yet to hear from our health specialists on the newest data analytics on the Covid-19 situation in the National Capital Region “In a message to reporters, DILG Secretary Eduardo Ao stated.

Under Alert Level 1, however, face masks will remain essential, according to Ao.

“Face masks will be necessary at all alert levels, while face shields will be required at Alert Levels 4 and 5,” he explained.

The Department of Health (DOH) previously stated that the required use of face masks will be the last health regimen to be phased down, despite the fact that coronavirus cases are dropping in the country.

In the meantime, the Philippine National Police (PNP) stated it is prepared to execute new security and health protocols if Alert Level 1 is proclaimed in specific locations.

“The most lenient Alert Level 1 will open the door to greater economic activity by removing some restrictions on venue capacities, but the minimum public health standard will remain in place,” said PNP commander Gen. Dionardo Carlos in a statement.

There will be no age limitations for persons moving around in public locations, including interzonal travels, under Alert Level 1, subject to LGU laws.

From February 16 to 28, the IATF placed the NCR and numerous other regions under Covid-19 Alert Level 2 status.

Except in regions under granular lockdown, all establishments will be able to operate at full capacity under Alert Level 1.

Indoor activities with a full seating capacity are possible as long as basic health criteria are followed.

“We’ve seen significant progress in our efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus, as evidenced by a fall in the number of cases and hospitalization rates, as well as increasing vaccination coverage.” The situation has improved as a result of the public’s self-discipline. Even if the health routine is eased, we expect to see the same mentality,” Carlos remarked.

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