Here’s what you need to know about health protocols and allowed activities under the “most relaxed” Alert Level 1 to be implemented over Metro Manila and 38 other places starting March 1.
Following the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to place the National Capital Region (NCR) and 38 other areas in the country under the “most relaxed” Alert Level 1 status, one big question now is: what activities are allowed and not allowed under the new alert level status?
‘No restrictions’
Under Alert Level 1, the IATF said there are no restrictions in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities.
Everyone can undertake intrazonal and interzonal travel without regard to age and even comorbidities.
All establishments, persons, or activities are likewise allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at total on-site or venue seating capacity, provided these are consistent with minimum public health standards.
All government and private offices and workspaces can now operate at full 100 percent capacity, consistent with national issuances on vaccination requirements for on-site work.
However, employers may continue to provide flexible and alternative work arrangements as deemed appropriate based on function or individual risk.
Meanwhile, face-to-face classes for primary education shall be subject to prior approval of the Office of the President.
Public transportation will now also be at full 100 percent capacity, and the use of plastic shields and the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) travel management system will no longer be required.
On contact tracing, the use of health declaration forms/paper-based contact tracing shall not be required for all the agencies and establishments under Alert Level 1.
On the other hand, the use of digital contact tracing such as the StaySafe.PH application is optional for all the agencies and establishments.
Health protocols still in effect
Meanwhile, face masks are still mandatory in all public areas except when eating and drinking, participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained, and practicing outdoor sports/exercise activities where physical distance can be maintained.
Individuals 18 years old and above will be required to present proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings or entry into indoor establishments, such as but not limited to:
*In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than Covi-19 and for the cremains of the Covid-19 deceased;
*All indoor dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants and eateries. For outdoor or al fresco dining and take out channels, no proof of full vaccination is required;
*All indoor personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology and other similar procedures including home service options;
*Fitness studios, gyms and venues for exercise and sports;
*All indoor cinemas or movie houses operating at full capacity;
*Meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibition events and permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers;
*Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls and theaters;
*Indoor ancillary establishments in hotels and other accommodation establishments; and
*Venues for election-related events.
Proof of full vaccination shall be required before entry in the list of establishments identified under the principles of 3C’s strategy against Covid-19.
Children ages 17 and below shall not be required to present proof of vaccination status.
Testing and isolation requirements
RT-PCR testing shall be recommended and prioritized for priority groups A2 (persons above 60 years old) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) and Priority Group A1 or healthcare workers.
Testing shall be optional for other groups not stated above.
It shall not be recommended for asymptomatic close contacts unless symptoms will develop, and should immediately isolate regardless of test results. Instead, symptom monitoring is recommended.
Should testing still be used, testing should be done at least 5 days from the day of last exposure.
Testing shall also not be recommended for screening asymptomatic individuals.
Meanwhile, testing using antigen tests shall be recommended only for symptomatic individuals and in instances wherein RT-PCR is not available, consistent with previously issued guidelines.
On isolation and quarantine, updated quarantine protocols for incoming international travelers shall be consistent with IATF Resolution No. 160 A/B, and updated isolation and quarantine protocols for general public and healthcare workers and authorized sectors shall be consistent with DOH Dept Memo No. 2022-0013.
(With report from PNA)
Tags: #Covid19, #healthprotocols, #AlertLevel1, #InterAgencyTaskForce