Alert Level 1: A welcome milestone in our long pandemic journey
Published Mar 1, 2022 12:05 am
Today, March 1, 2022, is the first day of Alert Level 1, a much awaited “event” in our journey in this long and arduous health pandemic. It is the first time it has happened in the National Capital Region (NCR) and a lot of people — health frontliners, business owners, investors, government workers — have expressed relief with this deescalation, owing to the low numbers of new daily COVID infections.
This announcement was made by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) last weekend, which also saw 38 other areas in the country be placed under Alert Level 1 until March 15.
The IATF clarified some provisions under Alert Level 1, such as the lifting of restrictions of indoor and outdoor capacities, which means establishments can now operate at their pre-pandemic capacities. This is definitely good news for the business sector — the owners and investors who have waited for so long to recuperate losses, the employees who have been experiencing rotating work schedules, and the ordinary consumers who want to feel a semblance of normalcy.
“All private offices and workplaces, including public and private construction sites, may operate at full 100 percent capacity, consistent with national issuances on vaccination requirements for on-site work. However, they may continue to provide flexible and alternative work arrangements as deemed appropriate based on function or individual risk,” according to the IATF guideline.
On the other hand, agencies of the government shall likewise “adhere to 100 percent on-site workforce. Off-site work shall be under such work arrangements subject to relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the President.” This is, again, another welcome news for the business sector, especially those who have projects or pending transactions with the various offices of the government.
One sector that will truly benefit from this alert deescalation is the tourism and hospitality industry. For so long, they have been subjected to various levels of restrictions. With Alert Level 1, everyone can now undertake intrazonal and interzonal travel without regard to age and even comorbidities. With summer soon arriving on our shores, this is auspicious for hotels, resorts, inns, and even allied businesses in the tourism sector, such as bus companies, caterers, tour operators, event organizers, down to the souvenir or snack peddlers.
Even with this seemingly “back-to-business” vibe emanating from this announcement, the IATF still encourages every Filipino to strictly follow health protocols. For example, it said that “well-fitted face masks shall be worn properly at all times, whether outdoors or in indoor private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air, or sea, 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.” Meanwhile, 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.
What is needed now, more than ever, is cooperation. It is now imperative on each and every Filipino to be responsible so that we could continue moving freely even under the cloud of the pandemic. Feeling sick? Please stay at home and avoid visiting a friend. Having a high fever? Don’t bother entering a mall or restaurant. Exposed to someone with COVID? Riding a bus is not the best way to go home.
This early, some health experts have expressed dismay over this worrisome “freedom,” saying that this may fuel another health crisis which we experienced early this year. But with each one of us following health protocols, we can initially cast this worry aside and look forward to a brighter summer, and hopefully, a better year.