NextGen Day

MANILA — Residents in areas that will be demoted to Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15 should wear “well-fitted” face masks when going outside or within private or public establishments, as well as when taking public transit by land, air, or sea.

In a press conference on Monday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who also serves as the acting presidential spokesperson, emphasized that now that 100% capacity is permitted, workplaces should maintain a safe environment.

“Para magkaroon ng malusog at ligtas na workplace, kailangan maging aktibo ang health officers (Health officials must be active to have healthy and safe workplaces),” he stated.

Only when eating and drinking, participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained, and participating in outdoor sports or fitness activities where physical distance may be maintained may face masks be removed.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment’s rules, workplaces should have a contingency plan and sufficient air exchange, as well as sanitation facilities, Nograles emphasized.

As considered suitable based on function or individual risk, flexible and alternate work arrangements will be permitted.

Footbaths, disinfection tents, misting chambers, and sanitation booths are no longer suggested for preventing and controlling Covid-19 transmission, as is temperature testing before admission.

The installation of plastic or acrylic barriers, as well as the placement of safety seals, are optional and only used when necessary, he added.

“Dahil sa ating pakikipagtulungan maari na nating luwagan ang mga nakasanayang mahigpit na patakaran,” Nograles added, “we can now ease constraints that we used to observe.”

The National Capital Region and 38 other places across the country will be placed under the most lenient Alert Level 1 categorization for the first half of March, according to the Inter-Agency Task Force.

Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, and Kalinga are in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan are in Region 1 (Ilocos); Batanes, Cagayan, City of Santiago, Isabela, and Quirino are in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Olongapo City (Bicol).

In the Visayas, Region 6 (Western Visayas) has Aklan, Bacolod City, Capiz, and Guimaras; Region 7 (Central Visayas) has Siquijor; and Region 8 has Biliran (Eastern Visayas).

In Mindanao, Zamboanga City in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), Cagayan de Oro City and Camiguin in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), and Davao City in Region 11 are all on Alert Level 1. (Davao).

Under Alert Level 1, public transportation can operate at full capacity, and those aged 18 and up must present proof of full vaccination when attending mass gatherings or going to indoor establishments such as food preparation establishments, personal care establishments, fitness studios, gyms, venues for exercise and sports, hotels and accommodations, and election-related events.

Masks are worn.

Despite Metro Manila’s change to Alert Level 1, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has stated that employees must wear face masks both indoors and outside.

“I’d like to remind everyone that, because Covid-19 is still present, despite the Alert Level 1, mask use is needed for all indoor and outdoor activities.” In a virtual forum on Monday, Labor Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresita Cucueco said, “The mask should be worn since it is a fundamental safety instrument, and second, there should be good ventilation in all workplace areas.”

She also stated that all sites personnel will be required to be fully vaccinated.

“The IATF Resolution 148-B was released last year by the IATF. So until there…you know, this has also been challenged in the courts, so we are not also…we are also very careful about this, and it will continue to be implemented until the courts decide or the national government issues an issuance,” she continued.

Vaccines are still effective in reducing the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace, according to Cucueco, who is also the head of the agency’s Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC).

“As you know, the vaccine still gives protection, and even being vaccinated does not guarantee that you will not become infected.” We’ll pay closer attention to individuals who haven’t been vaccinated since they’re more likely to be in a serious, life-threatening situation, which is why we’ll keep an eye on the test results. If a positive test is found, she advises, “quickly manage the disease’s spread.”

She went on to say that they’ll keep coming up with processes and strategies to deal with the challenges provided by the Covid-19 scenario.

At the same time, she stated that the majority of factory workers have been vaccinated.

Cucueco continued, “We know there are many, especially in the manufacturing sector, almost 95 percent of their workforce.”

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