Metro Manila will revert to Alert Level 3 starting Monday, January 3, until January 15, 2022, after the Philippines observed a spike in new 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) cases.
Under Alert Level 3, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease prohibits (IATF) the following activities:
- Face to face or in-person classes for basic education, except those previously approved by the IATF and/or the Office of the President;
- Contact sports, except those conducted under a bubble-type setup as provided for under relevant guidelines adopted by the IATF, Games and Amusement Board, and Philippine Sports Commission, and approved by the local government unit where such games shall be held;
- The operations of Funfairs/peryas and kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;
- The operations of venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters;
- The operations of casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments except as may be authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President; and
- Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.
Selected establishments can continue to operate but at a maximum of 30 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50 percent outdoor venue capacity.
These establishments must also ensure that the public observes the minimum public health standards, and that all their on-site peronnel have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
IATF also allows intrazonal and interzonal travel but local government units could impose reasonable restrictions which should not be stricter as those prescribed under higher alert levels and subject to the oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of their respective regional IATF.
The IATF has also directed the technical working group headed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the National Vaccination Operations Center to formulate guidelines for stricter measures for individuals who have yet to receive a vaccine against COVID-19.
Furthermore, the IATF ordered the regional cluster of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 to prepare the pediatric healthcare capacity of the Philippines
Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles explained that the IATF anticipates an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions amongst the pediatric population due to their unvaccinated status.
"Lahat ng mga ahensya, tagapagpatupad sa mga alituntunin na ito ay inaastasan na tiyakin na masusunod ang minimum public health standards lalo na sa close at crowded spaces, at close contact activities," Nograles announced on Friday, December 31.
On Friday, New Year's Eve, the Department of Health (DOH) logged 2,961 new COVID-19 infections which caused the number of active cases to climb up to 14,233.
