QUEZON CITY (PIA) – The Palace released the Alert Level system pilot implementation guidelines for COVID-19 response in the National Capital Region (NCR), which begins on September 16 to 30, 2021.

"Metro Manila lamang po ang mayroong alert levels. Community quarantine pa rin po ang mga nasa labas ng NCR," Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry L. Roque Jr. said in a press briefing on Tuesday, September 14.

He said the NCR would be placed under Alert Level 4, restricting 3Cs -- closed spaces, crowded spaces, and close contacts.

Following are the general guidelines:  

  • Persons below 18 and over 65 years old, those with comorbidities, and pregnant women cannot go out of their houses. However, they are permitted to go outside if they are buying essential goods or services or working in permitted industries;
  • Entry shall  be allowed for those who reside in an area declared under granular lockdown only to return to their residence; and for individuals under exceptional circumstances such as those seeking urgent medical attention;
  • Food and other essential items that are for delivery within an area that is under granular lockdown shall be unloaded only at border collection points that the local government unit shall determine;
  • Indoor visitor or tourist attractions, indoor leisure centers, gyms, recreational venues, gaming establishments, mass gatherings, meetings, and staycations will be prohibited;
  • Outdoor dine-in services, barbershops, hair spas, nail spas, beauty salons, and physical religious congregations are allowed to operate for up to 30% of their outdoor seating capacity, regardless of vaccination status; and, can also operate indoors for up to 10% capacity, but employees and customers must have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19;
  • Necrological services will be limited to immediate family members, with full compliance with the minimum health protocols;
  • Government agencies and instrumentalities must remain in full operation and must follow an on-site working capacity of at least 20% backed with work-from-home arrangements;
  • Intrazonal and interzonal travel for persons not required to remain at their residences may be allowed subject to the reasonable regulations of the LGU of destination;
  • The classification of alert levels for the pilot areas will be done weekly by the Department of Health. 

The Palace spokesperson said local government units would implement granular lockdowns in not less than 14 days. Only a few individuals will be allowed to move in and out of the lockdown area.

Among the Authorized Persons Outside Residences (APOR) are healthcare workers, allied health professionals, uniformed personnel, residents under granular lockdown, people needing urgent medical attention, food/essential deliveries, departing overseas Filipino workers, and OFWs who completed their facility-based quarantine. (MCG/PIA-IDPD)

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