Thirty-two areas in the county are placed under COVID-19 Alert level 2 starting Nov. 1 until 15, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Monday.
In a press release, DOH said President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has approved the new COVID-19 Alert Level System (ALS) for provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities.
“The DOH reiterated the need to strengthen public capacity for risk assessment, and highlighted the different layers of protection that the public can use to limit transmission, especially amid the coming holiday season and the relaxation of masking mandates in various settings,” it said.
The following are the areas placed under Alert level 2:
LUZON
Cordillera Administrative Region
- Benguet
- Ifugao
Calabarzon
- Quezon Province
Mimaropa
-
Palawan
Bicol Region
- Camarines Norte
- Masbate
VISAYAS
Western Visayas
- Antique
- Negros Occidental
Central Visayas
- Bohol
- Cebu Province
- Negros Oriental
Eastern Visayas
- Leyte
- Northern Samar
- Western Samar
MINDANAO
Zamboanga Peninsula
- City of Isabela
- Zamboanga Del Sur
- Zamboanga Sibugay
Northern Mindanao
-
Lanao del Norte
Davao Region
- Davao De Oro
- Davao Del Norte
- Davao Del Sur
- Davao Occidental
Soccsksargen
- North Cotabato
- Sarangani
- Sultan Kudarat
Caraga
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
- Basilan
- Lanao Del Sur
- Maguindanao
- Sulu
- Tawi-tawi
Under the Alert level 2 system, establishments and leisure activities are allowed at 50 percent indoor venue capacity and 70 percent outdoor venue capacity.
Meanwhile, 89 provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities as well as 192 other component cities and municipalities remained under Alert Level 1.
Under Alert Level 1 system, all establishments, persons, or activities are allowed to fully operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity, provided that it adheres to the minimum public health protocols.
With the new COVID-19 Alert level and easing of mask-wearing, DOH officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded the public to remain cautious, especially during All Souls day or Undas and the upcoming holiday season.
She urged individuals to assess the situation first before removing the face mask.
“Ibig sabihin, bago sabihing ligtas na magtanggal ng mask, isipin natin: Bakunado ba tayo? Marami bang tao kung nasaan tayo? May kasama ba tayong matanda, may sakit, o buntis sa bahay kung sakaling tayo ay mahawa? Lahat po ng iyan ay kailangan tinatanong muna natin sa sarili natin bago tayo magpasya na ligtas ang magtanggal ng mask,” she said.
Vergeire also appealed to the local government units (LGUs) to strengthen the implementation of strategies and protocols against COVID-19 and other diseases.
