The increase in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases and the confirmation of at least three local cases of the highly transmissible Omicron variant pushed the Inter-agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under the stricter Alert Level 3 starting on Monday, January 3.
This came two days after the government said Metro Manila will remain under Alert Level 2 until Jan. 15.
The change in position came after the country logged 2,961 cases on New Year’s Eve. This is the highest in nearly two months.
The 10.3 percent positivity rate is also the highest since October 22.
Dos and Don’ts
The following are not allowed under Alert Level 3:
1. Face to face classes for basic education
2. Contact sports, except those conducted under a bubble-type setup
3. Funfairs/peryas and kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides
4. Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters
5. Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments
6. Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household
Intrazonal and interzonal travel remain allowed under Alert Level 3. However, the following activities and businesses are only allowed at 30-percent indoor capacity for the fully vaccinated and 50-percent outdoor capacity for the unvaccinated:
1. Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE)
2. Permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, family reunions, and other similar activities
3. Visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, museums, galleries, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like
4. Amusement parks or theme parks
5. Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues
6. Cinemas and movie houses
7. Limited face-to-face classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training
8. In-person religious gatherings
9. Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for COVID-19 non-COVID-19 deaths
10. Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations and specialty examinations
11. Dine-in services in food preparation establishments
12. Personal care establishments such as barbershops, spas, salons, aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options
13. Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for non-contact exercise and sports (group activities are not allowed)
14. Film, music, and television production