The National Capital Region (NCR) shifts to Alert Level 3 starting today up to January 15, 2022 due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, and the detection of more Omicron variant.
Number coding is still in effect in Metro Manila
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the number coding will still be implemented as the capital shifts to Alert Level 3. The number coding in Metro Manila will be in effect Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for private vehicles.
Public utility vehicles, motorcycles, transport network vehicles services (TNVS), and vehicles transporting perishable or essential goods are exempted from the number coding.
Interzonal and intrazonal travel is allowed
MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos clarified in a press conference that interzonal and intrazonal travel is allowed under Alert Level 3 but, these will be subject to certain limitations by local government units.
On the other hand, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced it will conduct random antigen testing on Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) passengers. This is to monitor the level of COVID-19 presence among commuters taking the rail lines.
Abalos also announced that Metro Manila mayors “agreed in principle" that unvaccinated individuals are not allowed to go out of their homes.
Unvaxxed individuals can only go out to get or buy essential goods. This also means that they are not allowed in restaurants, malls, and public transportation. Abalos did mention that unvaxxed individuals can exercise outdoors but only in their certain barangays or puroks.
Unvaccinated individuals can't go out under Alert Level 3
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) decided to put NCR in Alert Level 3 to address the increasing COVID-19 cases. The Department of Health (DOH) has also confirmed 10 new cases of the Omicron variant as of this writing.
The DOH reported 4,600 additional cases yesterday, January 2, 2022, which raised the number of active COVID-19 cases to 21,418. Of note, the said number is the highest recorded new cases since October 24, 2021. Metro Manila registered the highest new COVID-19 cases with 3,279 followed by Calabarzon with 676, and Central Luzon with 252.
Acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles added that the government is expecting an increase in COVID-19 positive cases in the coming days. This prompted the IATF to put Metro Manila in Alert Level 3 in order to contain or limit the new surge of COVID-19 cases.
"Nakita naman natin sa mga nakaraang araw ay nag-increase exponentially ang mga kaso dahil sa Holiday activities kung saan tumaas ang movement ng mga tao at bumaba ang compliance sa minimum public health standards. Isa rin sa dahilan ang detection ng local cases ng Omicron variant.”
(We saw an exponential rise during the past days because of the Holiday activities where there were increased movement and compliance with minimum public health standards may have been disregarded. Local cases of the Omicron variant were also detected)," Nograles said.
The following are not allowed under Alert Level 3:
- Face to face classes for basic education
- Contact sports (except those conducted under a bubble-type setup)
- Funfairs/peryas and kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides
- Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters
- Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments
- Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household
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