Border restriction will remain strict as provinces outside the region may require travelers to present negative RT-PCR or antigen coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) test results or vaccination identification cards upon entry, said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday, Sept. 15.
Año said that people in Metro Manila may also move more freely but not in areas under granular lockdowns where individuals 18 years old and below, persons 65 years old and above, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions are prohibited from going outdoors.
But, Año warned the public not to be too complacent as the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be up on their toes as usual in apprehending violators of the health and safety protocols.
Explaining further, Año clarified that the Alert Level 4 policy is similar to the general community quarantine (GCQ) with “higher restrictions.’’
He added the emphasis of Alert Level 4 is to ease the restrictions for businesses with the aim of reinvigorating the economy.
The DILG chief also noted that these establishments have “health measures interventions’’ that are being enforced against COVID-19.
In Alert Level 4 areas, Año disclosed that economic activities with restrictions against the three Cs are allowed to operate.
The three Cs being referred to are close spaces, crowded places and areas with close contact activities.
“So sa GCQ with higher restrictions or actually MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) mga activities (allowed) din naman. E yung nilimit natin (activities) pero ang ginawa natin binigyan natin ng consideration yung vaccinated people. Pwede silang magdine-in, pwede silang magsimba personal at pwede rin silang mag-avail ng personal care services (So under GCQ with higher restrictions or actually MECQ, there are activities that are allowed. We limited them but we gave consideration to the vaccinated people. They can personally go to church and avail of personal care services),’’ Año said.
Año also stressed that areas with high COVID-19 cases called ‘critical zones’ are the places where granular lockdowns are strictly imposed.
He reiterated that granular lockdowns are stricter than the previous lockdowns as only health care workers are allowed to leave these areas.
With an estimated number of close to 100, Año pointed out that the NCR granular lockdowns are implemented in small areas even to a group of households.
“Basta meron kasing index case, halimbawa yung isang bahay merong isang kaso (COVID-19), dyan dahil nga may Delta (variant) tayo pwede mo nang igranular lockdown yung isang bahay. Kung merong at least dalawang index case, for example sa isang neighborhood pwede mo ngayong ilockdown, titingnan mo na lang dyan, ng LGU kung kalaki sa neighborhood. Pwedeng (lockdown) isang street, pwedeng isang subdivision or entire barangay (There is an index case for example there is one case in one residence due to the Delta variant we can place that under granular lockdown. If there are at least two index cases, for example in one neighborhood, you can lock it down, with the LGU just inspecting how large the area is. You can place one street, subdivision or entire barangay under granular lockdown),’’ the DILG chief explained.
He noted that the whole barangay needs to be placed under granular lockdown in case there is community transmission within the area.
“Kaya mas madali itong ma-control tapos magkakaroon ka ng mga aggressive testing at contact tracing isolation dun sa lockdown area (This is easier to control then you will have an aggressive testing and contact tracing isolation in the lockdown area),’’ Año noted. (Chito A. Chavez)