THE entire Davao Region will be shifting to a less-strict Alert Level 2 from November 15 to 30, 2021.
This was announced by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a statement on Saturday afternoon, November 14, wherein Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao City, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental will share the same alert level.
Previously, only Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental were placed under Alert Level 2.
Davao Occidental was under Aalert Level 4, while Davao City and Davao del Norte were under Alert Level 3.
Davao Region was among the regions that were included in the pilot implementation of the Alert Level System (ALS) for Covid-19 response in the country.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved on November 11 the nationwide implementation of the ALS through Executive Order 115.
Duterte said the nationwide shift to the ALS would allow the “reinvigoration of the country through the opening of more sectors, while protecting the people’s health through the continuous observance of public health protocols and interventions,” as well as the heightened implementation of granular lockdowns.
According to the Department of Health-Davao Region data as of November 13, the region had a total of 1,801 active cases, with only 48 new cases recorded.
DOH-Davao Region Covid-19 Response Operations Chief Dr. Raquel D. Montejo said the Covid-19 positivity rate in the region has been consistently below 10 percent for the past few days.
“The Covid-19 statistics in our region has significantly decreased as seen in our latest report. Ito po yung trend natin but should not result to complacency. We must continue to strengthen po yung ating local response in all areas so we can hammer down yung ating daily cases,” said Montejo.
While this is good news, she reiterated that this should not be a reason to be complacent.
What to expect under Alert Level 2
According to the DOH, the agency that decides the alert level classification per local government unit (LGU), intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed subject to reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities, as may be determined by the LGUs.
This should not be stricter as those prescribed under Alert Level 4 and subject to the oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of their respective Regional Interagency Task Force (RIATF).
“Provided, that those below eighteen (18) years of age, and those belonging to the vulnerable population, shall be allowed access to obtain essential goods and services, or for work in permitted industries and offices in accordance with existing labor laws, rules, and regulations,” DOH said in a press release.
Individual outdoor exercises will be allowed for all ages regardless of comorbidities or vaccination status.
Activities such as venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (Mice) events, and social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers will be permitted.
Visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like will also be allowed.
Amusement parks or theme parks will be opened to the public.
Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues will also be permitted to operate.
Also included in the allowable operation are cinemas and movie houses.
Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education, higher education and technical-vocational education and training will also be permitted subject to prior approval of the Office of the President
In-person religious gatherings and gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than Covid-19 and for the cremains of the Covid-19 deceased will also be allowed.
Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject to the health and safety guidelines.
Dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sector-specific protocols.
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 will be subject to the DTI sector-specific protocols.
Operation of fitness studios, gyms, and venues for individual non-contact exercise and sports will also be subject to DTI sector-specific protocols provided that patrons/clients and workers/employees wear face masks at all times and that no group activities are conducted.
Film, music, and television production will be subject to the joint guidelines as may be issued by the DTI, DOH, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Contact sports must be approved by the LGU, where such games shall be held.
Funfairs/peryas or 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 will also be allowed to operate.
Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household will be allowed, provided that health protocols will be observed.
In addition, agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall remain to be fully operational and shall adhere to at least 50-percent on-site capacity while applying work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements.
