- Metro Manila has been placed under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022
- This is amid the increase in daily COVID-19 cases and the detection of local transmission of the Omicron variant
- Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Alexis Nograles said the three cases of Omicron indicate the high possibility of local transmission
- The rest of the country will remain under Alert Level 2 from January 1 to 15, 2022
Metro Manila has been placed under the stricter Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022 amid the increase in daily COVID-19 cases and the detection of local transmission of the Omicron variant.
“The epidemiological investigation on the three local cases indicate there is high possibility of local transmission ng omicron,” Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Alexis Nograles said on December 31.
According to data from DOH, daily cases have jumper significantly over the last few days, hitting 2,961 cases on December 31 from 1,623 cases on December 30, 889 on December 29, and 421 on December 28.
In an advisory on December 31 DOH said the increase in COVID-19 cases in the coming days should be expected due to less compliance with minimum public health standards and the detection of local transmission of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Areas under Alert Level 3 are areas where case counts are high and/or increasing, with increasing total bed utilization and intensive care unit utilization rates.
Under Alert Level 3, intrazonal and interzonal movement will be allowed and reasonable restrictions may be imposed by the local government units.
Those below 18 years of age, and those belonging to the vulnerable population, will be allowed access to obtain essential goods and services, or for work in permitted industries and offices in accordance with existing labor laws, rules, and regulations.
Establishments and/or activities characterized as high-risk for transmission will not be allowed to operate, or be undertaken in areas classified under Alert Level 3.
The rest of the country will remain under Alert Level 2 from January 1 to 15, 2022.
The alert level system refers to the new community quarantine classifications for dealing with COVID-19, and covers entire cities, municipalities and/or regions with the aim to manage and minimize the risk of disease transmission through the use of system indicators, triggers, and thresholds determined by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
