The Philippines government has placed the capital Manila and 38 other areas under the country’s least restrictive COVID-19 alert level, following a decline in the number of infections, a government official said on Monday.
Public transportation and business establishments are now allowed to operate at full capacity under alert level 1, without being required to set up isolation facilities within the workplace.
People will still need to wear masks in public, except when participating in sports or exercising where physical distance can be maintained, he added.
Individuals age 18 and above will be required to present proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings or entering indoor establishments, such as cinemas, conferences, wedding receptions, karaoke bars, and others.
Temperature checks and contact tracing will not be necessary for all the agencies and establishments in areas under alert level 1, Nograles said.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergerie on Monday urged citizens to maintain self-regulation, noting that tougher measures may be reimposed if infection rates increase.
“We have not yet reached the endemic state. We are now at a level where we are still transitioning to our desired new normal,” Vergeire said.
“So now we will expand the vaccination and will try to reach far-flung areas or those without access to health services. We are looking into whether it will be possible to have a monthly [national COVID-19],” Vergeire said.