The national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) downgraded Bacolod City to Alert Level 1, while Negros Occidental and Oriental will remain under Alert Level 2 from March 1 to 15, Acting Presidential Spokesman Karlo Nograles announced on Sunday, February 27.
Also under Alert Level 1 are Aklan, Capiz and Guimaras, while under Alert Level 2 are Antique, Iloilo City and Iloilo province in Western Visayas.
The de-escalation of Bacolod’s alert level status is a validation that the city government is on the right track in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said.
“We wish to credit our people for their support and cooperation in observing health protocols. We are proving to all that when we all unite for a common purpose, we can achieve much more”, the mayor said.
Nograles said the IATF also approved amendments to the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response on Sunday.
The following are the guidelines under Alert Level 1:
*Under Alert Level 1 well-fitted face masks should 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.
*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.
*Agencies and instrumentalities of the government should also adhere to 100 percent on-site workforce. Off-site work should be under such work arrangements subject to relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the President.
*Public transportation in areas under Alert Level 1 should be at full seating capacity. For intrazonal and interzonal travels involving public land transportation between an area with a higher alert level classification and an area under Alert Level 1, the passenger capacity should be that which has the lower passenger capacity rate between the point of origin and point of destination.
*For aviation, maritime and rail public transport operating in and out of Alert Levels 1 areas, the passenger capacity will be at 100 percent. The use of acrylic and/or plastic dividers in public transportation should not be required. The use of the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) travel management system should likewise not be required for interzonal travel to areas under Alert Level 1.
*On contact tracing, the use of health declaration forms/paper-based contact tracing shall not be required for all the agencies and establishments under Alert Level 1. On the other hand, the use of digital contact tracing such as the StaySafe.PH application is optional for all the agencies and establishments.
*On testing prioritization, testing protocols will be implemented, consistent with national guidelines, for individuals who are unvaccinated or have higher exposure risk. In addition, testing using RT-PCR should be recommended and prioritized for: Priority Groups A2 (persons above 60 years old) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) and Priority Group A1 or healthcare workers.
Testing shall be optional for other groups not stated above. It shall not be recommended for asymptomatic close contacts unless symptoms will develop, and should immediately isolate regardless of test results. Instead, symptom monitoring is recommended. Should testing still be used, testing should be done at least 5 days from the day of last exposure. Testing shall also not be recommended for screening asymptomatic individuals. Meanwhile, testing using antigen tests shall be recommended only for symptomatic individuals and in instances wherein RT-PCR is not available, consistent with previously issued guidelines.
*The Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Committees (HIPCC) may implement testing protocols in health facilities for health workers and patients based on their assessment of risk and benefit.
*Under Alert Level 1, establishments are no longer required to set-up isolation facilities within the workplace.
On treatment, close contacts, asymptomatic confirmed cases and mild to moderate confirmed cases should be managed at the primary care level, such as health centers, private clinics through face to face or teleconsultation, while confirmed cases with severe and critical symptoms should be managed in the appropriate health care facility, Nograles said.
In the case of reintegration, isolation can be discontinued upon completion of the recommended isolation period, provided that they do not have fever for at least 24 hours without the use of any antipyretic medications, and shall have improvement of respiratory signs and symptoms, he said.
For the purpose of claiming sick leave, health benefits or other relevant processes wherein the proofs of COVID-19 management are necessary, a medical certification may suffice provided it should include the following minimum information: name of patient, severity of symptoms, and diagnosis as probable or confirmed COVID-19, and date of end of quarantine and/or isolation period, he said.
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, such as but not limited to:
*In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 and for the remains of the COVID-19 deceased;
*All indoor dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants and eateries. For outdoor or al fresco dining and take out channels, no proof of full vaccination is required;
*All indoor personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology and other similar procedures including home service options;
*Fitness studios, gyms and venues for exercise and sports;
*All indoor cinemas or movie houses operating at full capacity;
*Meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibition events and permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers;
*Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls and theaters; 8.
*Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls and theaters;
*Indoor ancillary establishments in hotels and other accommodation establishments; and
*Venues for election-related events.
Children ages 17 and below will not be required to present proof of vaccination status, Nograles said.
ALERT LEVEL 1 AREAS
Other area under Alert Level 1 are:
LUZON
*National Capital Region
• Abra, Apayao, Baguio City and Kalinga in the Cordillera Administrative Region;
• Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan in Region I;
• Batanes, Cagayan, City of Santiago, Isabela and Quirino in Region II;
• Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Olongapo City, Pampanga and Tarlac in Region III;
• Cavite and Laguna in Region IV-A;
• Marinduque, Puerto Princesa City and Romblon in Region IV-B; and
• Naga City and Catanduanes in Region V.
VISAYAS
• Siquijor in Region VII; and
• Biliran in Region VIII.
MINDANAO
• Zamboanga City in Region IX;
• Cagayan de Oro City and Camiguin in Region X; and
• Davao City in Region XI.
The rest of the country is under Alert Level 2, Nograles added.*