Metro Manila can be downgraded to alert level 1 – DOH

There is a possibility that Metro Manila will be placed on Alert Level 1 if there are less than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases a day.

“Kung ang datos ay patuloy namang bumababa… posible na kapag below 1,000 tayo or 500 [cases] per day, baka puwede nating ibaba pa ng Alert Level 1,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in a public briefing yesterday.

(If the data continues to decline… it is possible that when we are below 1,000 or 500 [cases] per day, we may be able to lower the Alert Level 1.)

Metro Manila is currently on Alert Level 2 until November 21, when it will decide whether to keep it or change it.

“Sino ba naman ang may ayaw na mas mababa ang ating alert level, e mas malaking bahagi naman ng ekonomiya ang ating mabubuksan at mas marami tayong mababawing trabaho na nawala,” Duque added.

(Who doesn’t want our alert level to be lower? we will be able to open up a more significant part of the economy, and we will be able to recover more jobs that we lost.)

Despite this, Duque expressed alarm over the leaked images of crowded people and non -compliance with minimum public health protocols.

Metro Manila can be downgraded to alert level 1 – DOH

“Siyempre nakakaalarma ito. Nangangamba ako dahil nga ‘pag iyong nagkukumpol-kumpulan, posibleng makakita na naman tayo ng pagsipa ng mga kaso at dapat po ito maiwasan natin,” said Duque.

(Of course, this is alarming. I’m worried because when you get together, it’s possible that we’ll see cases increasing again, and we should avoid it.)

To finally lower the Alert Level in Metro Manila, Duque once again called on the public to exercise discipline and follow the advice of experts on physical distancing, regular hand washing, and proper wearing of face masks.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila mayors this week will issue ‘unified standard protocols’ to be applied to establishments and public places in the region, which are now under the more relaxed COVID-19 Alert Level 2.

According to Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, the mayors of Metro Manila met yesterday. They agreed to develop standard and unified protocols for the establishments and public areas that people now visit.