Alert Level System Guidelines in the Philippines

20 January 2022

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As of October 20 last year, the government extended its experiment on new coronavirus limits in Metro Manila outside the National Capital Region, intending to reduce its spread while still enabling companies and business establishments to resume their operations.

At that time, the quarantine categories that people have become used was replaced with alert levels based on the viral transmission rate, hospital bed usage rate, and critical care utilization rate of a local government unit under this new policy.

We know how confusing it is to be familiar with the differences between the various alert level systems in our country, so here are the guidelines and the conditions when that certain alert level will be implemented.

Alert Levels System for COVID-19

With the Omicron variant being a threat to the whole country this year, it is good to know and be aware of the proper protocols the government is implementing based on the alert level raised in your area.

These new alert levels were implemented in September of last year. The procedures for these have been labeled as levels 1 to 5, including lockdowns in certain areas for quarantine purposes. The requirements get more stringent in this new system as the alarm level rises in the area.

Alert Level 1

This alert level is implemented when there are low and declining COVID-19 instances and transmission, as well as low overall hospital bed occupancy and critical care unit utilization in the area.

Guidelines:

People of all ages, including those with comorbidities, are permitted to move at Alert Level 1, which is the lowest level in the new alert system.
Facilities and activities may function to their full potential as long as they adhere to the bare minimum in terms of health regulations.
The Office of the President must provide its consent before any face-to-face basic education classes are held.

Alert Level 2

Case transmission, health care usage, and COVID-19 case counts in these locations are all low. However, there is an increase in the overall bed utilization rate and critical care unit used in these areas.

Guidelines:

Local governments may impose "reasonable limits" on movement, but these must be approved by the local IATF councils and must not go beyond those stipulated under higher alert levels.

Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting, lotteries, cockpits, betting shops, and other gaming institutions are prohibited from operating under this alert level unless granted authorization by the IATF or the Office of the President.

Establishments that are authorized to operate with a maximum 50% indoor capacity for fully vaccinated persons and those under 18, even if they are unvaccinated and a 70% outdoor venue capacity, are included in the exemption.

Places where people can gather in large groups for meetings and other events, such as parties and weddings;
Tourist attractions like amusement parks and theme parks;
Recreational venues like internet cafes, arcades, bowling alley, and swimming pools;
Cinemas;
In-person religious gatherings, including funeral services for those who died of causes other than COVID-19;
Licensing or entrance/qualifying examinations subject to health and safety conditions
DTI of Department of Trade and Industry has established sector-specific protocols for the establishment of personal care and cosmetic service establishments, such as hair salons, spas, barbershops, nail spa, as well as those that provide aesthetic or cosmetic services or procedures;
Individual non-contact exercise and sports; fitness studios, gyms, etc.;
Playgrounds, child rides, and perya or funfairs;
Venues such as karaoke bars, clubs, concerts, and theaters
Social events that bring together people even from outside your immediate family members

The Office of the President must sign off on any plans to hold basic education face-to-face classes.

An 80 percent personnel onsite is required for all government departments and offices to stay operating.

Alert Level 3

There are high or increasing COVID-19 cases, as well as high or increasing total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate in the area.

Guidelines:

People's mobility will be decided by LGUs, with the help of local IATF councils, who will monitor and evaluate their decisions, provided that the restrictions must not be stricter to other higher alert level systems.

Young people under 18 years old and those in the vulnerable or other health risks population may go out for essential products and services or work in approved industries and offices. Examples of businesses or activities that are prohibited from operating in Alert Level 3 are:

play areas and child rides at fairs and amusement parks
venues such as karaoke bars, clubs, concerts, and theaters;
casinos, horse racing, cockfighting, and lottery;
assembly of people who are not related to one other or not living in one household.

On the other hand, the maximum indoor capacity for fully vaccinated persons is 30 percent, and the maximum outdoor venue capacity is 50 percent for these businesses and activities:

venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions;
venues for social gatherings such as birthday parties and anniversaries such as wedding receptions and the likes
Libraries, museums, public spaces, and other popular destinations for tourists;
amusement parks or theme parks;
Internet cafés, arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, swimming pools, and other venues for leisure
cinemas and movie houses;
funeral services and other religious rituals that take place in person;
IATF-approved health and safety requirements for license or entry/qualification exams; dine-in services;
salons, hair spas, barbershops, nail spas, and those delivering aesthetic or cosmetic services or procedures—subject to sector-specific rules of the Department of Trade and Industry
Individual non-contact exercise and sports facilities such as studios and gyms

Under this alert level system, a 60% onsite capacity and flexible working conditions would be maintained for government agencies and offices.

Alert Level 4

High and/or growing case counts, as well as high total bed use and critical care unit utilization rates, are being covered by the hospitals are required in order to implement this alert level.

Guidelines:

As long as you're at least 18 years old and not pregnant have no comorbidities or other health issues, you may travel under this Alert Level 4.

Access to essential products and services or employment in approved sectors and offices is nevertheless granted to minors and those from the most vulnerable sections of the community.

Point-to-point travel, staycations, and outdoor workouts may all be permitted for those who are completely vaccinated, as long as the minimal public health requirements and safeguards are met, such as maintenance of proper social distancing and the wearing of protective face masks.

No businesses and activities can be conducted by the following establishments:

face-to-face courses, except those authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President, for basic education, higher education, or technical vocational education and training;
contact sports, both inside and outdoors
a cinema or a movie theater
activities such as festivals, playgrounds, and child rides
Karaoke bars, clubs, concert venues, and theaters;
Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting, lotteries, betting shops, and other gaming institutions unless permitted by the IATF or the Office of the President;
Private get-togethers amongst members of a home who do not live together regularly

Provided they have been granted a Safety Seal Certification, certain businesses and activities may run with complete vaccinations in attendance at a maximum indoor capacity of 10% and an outdoor capacity of 30% without violating these restrictions.

Businesses and activities that are included in this rule are:

convention centers and exhibition halls that serve as settings for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions or MICE
places that may be used for social gatherings;
attractions for the visiting tourist;
amusement parks and theme parks
leisure facilities

In addition, under this level of alert, establishments and events are permitted to operate with a maximum of 10% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated persons and 30% outdoor venue capacity. This includes the following establishments and activities:

worship and/or service in person, excluding processions and other mobile religious gatherings;
Health and safety requirements set by the IATF apply to licensing or entrance/qualification exams;
Dine-in services
Department of Trade and Industry sector-specific standards apply to personal care businesses such as hairdressers, nail salons or spas, barbershops, and those providing aesthetic or cosmetic services or treatments.
individual non-contact exercise and sports facilities, such as studios and gyms;
Film and television production, which is governed by the DTI, the DOLE, and the Department of Health and Human Services (DOH).

Family members of people who died from reasons other than COVID-19 will only be allowed to attend funerals and wake and only if they meet all of the basic public health criteria.

There must be a minimum of 40% of the onsite personnel in order for government offices and agencies to stay fully functional throughout.

Alert Level 5

With a total bed occupancy rate and intensive care unit usage rate that are deemed essential, it covers locations with an alarmingly high COVID-19 case count. This is the highest and strictest level in the new alert system.

Guidelines:

Rules and limits imposed in the Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ during this alert level system must be adhered to at all times.
People are only allowed to go out of their homes for the purpose of purchasing goods and services from approved businesses, working in these enterprises, or engaging in other activities permitted under this level of alert.
Except for needed products and services, or for employment in factories and offices or such other activities authorized under Alert Level 5, all persons under the age of 18, those with comorbidities and other health concerns, as well as pregnant women, must stay inside their homes at all times.

Based on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, these new alert level systems will last for at least 14 days.

Minimum Public Health Standards

With the Omicron variant being a great threat to most parts of the country this year, and with the sudden surge of active COVID-19 cases per day—with 39, 004 COVID-19 cases recorded last January 15, it is vital for everyone to follow the minimum public health standards or MPHS that the Department of Health of DOH is strictly implementing, regardless of the new alert level system status your area currently has.

Each country has its way of implementing its minimum public health standard. While restrictions may vary in each country, strict adherence to these public health requirements must remain consistent for the health and safety of everyone.

In the Philippines, the DOH advises the public to always observe the following, especially when going out of their homes:

Everyone must properly wear their masks at all times when they are outside of their homes.
Physical distancing is advised. The public must follow with at least one-meter social distancing even if they are eating inside the restaurant or having al-fresco dining in.
Proper hygiene. Everyone must observe proper hygiene, like regularly washing their hands thoroughly. In case you do not have soap and water available, people are advised to bring with them some alcohol or hand sanitizer.

Staying at home for a safer community

Even though the new alert level systems allow the people to enjoy outdoor activities in order to help the national economy to recover from its recent slump due to the pandemic, it is still better and safer for the whole family to stay at home if you don't have anything important to do outdoors.

In this event, it is important that your home has enough space for the whole family as well as better ventilation. It will also be useful and enjoyable if your community has its own amenities where you can enjoy your morning or afternoon jog or walk with nature or for your kids to have a safe place to enjoy outdoor activities.

If you're searching for a "bank house for sale near me" that has all of these features and amenities, you must check out if there is a Lumina Homes subdivision near your area. They offer great amenities as well as better living spaces that are perfect for this pandemic.