THE National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) on Thursday, October 28, 2021, approved the recommendation to further expand the pilot implementation of the Alert Levels System starting November 1, 2021 to Central Luzon, Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao as an area for special monitoring.

In Western Visayas, Negros Occidental, which the Department of Health (DOH) classified as low-risk area in terms of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) transmission, is now on Alert Level 2 while Bacolod City is under Alert Level 4 or moderate risk area.

The approved alert level system consists of Alert Levels 1 to 5, and the granular lockdown quarantine status.

Under the guidelines of the DOH, the movement restrictions become stricter as the alert level number increases.

Areas covered by Alert Level 1, the lowest alert level, have low and decreasing Covid-19 case transmission, total hospital bed utilization rate, and intensive care unit utilization rate.

Movement of persons is permitted except in closed spaces or activities that would require close contact, which may also be identified by the local government units (LGUs).

Establishments and activities are allowed to operate at full capacity in accordance with the minimum public health standards but are not applicable for areas under granular lockdown.

As for Alert Level 2, movement of persons is allowed except for restrictions based on age and comorbidities, as may be determined by LGUs.

Individual outdoor exercises are allowed in areas under Alert Level 2 regardless of age, comorbidities, or vaccination status.

Dine-in businesses, personal care services, entertainment and recreational venues, mass gatherings, funeral services, meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibits, and indoor tourist attractions are permitted to operate at a maximum of 50 percent capacity. Those with Safety Seal Certifications will be allowed to operate an additional 10 percent beyond the prescribed capacity.

Other businesses and activities that are not mentioned above are allowed to operate at a full capacity, except for those areas under granular lockdown. A minimal on-site working capacity is also encouraged for establishments in this category.

Government agencies and instrumentalities shall remain in full operation in these areas and must implement an on-site working capacity of at least 50 percent mixed with work-from-home arrangements.

Areas under Alert Level 3 are those with high and/or increasing case count, and increasing bed utilization and intensive care utilization rates resulting in reasonable restriction of movements based on age and comorbidities as may be determined by the local government.

People should be allowed access to essential goods and services, or to work only in permitted industries while intrazonal and interzonal travel may be allowed subject to guidelines set by the LGU of destination.

Individual outdoor exercises shall be allowed for all ages regardless of comorbidities or vaccination statutes and businesses such as indoor dine-in, personal care services, indoor tourist attractions at 30-percent capacity.

Indoor venues for Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions as well as indoor recreational venues, indoor in-person examinations, indoor sports venues, gaming establishments, in-person religious gatherings, funeral services, and social gatherings are allowed to operate or be undertaken at a maximum of 30-percent capacity as well.

Operations of indoor entertainment venues like cinemas, venues with live performers, and amusement parks remain prohibited while those with Safety Seal Certifications are allowed to operate at an additional 10 percent beyond the prescribed capacity.

All other establishments or activities not mentioned are allowed to operate at full capacity except for those in areas under granular lockdown. Minimal on-site working and flexible working arrangements are also encouraged.

Government agencies shall remain fully operational, while also observing 50-percent on-site capacity and flexible working arrangements.

Under Alert Level 4, persons below 18 years old and over 65 years old, those with health comorbidities, and pregnant women are not allowed to go out of their houses.

However, they are permitted to go outside if they are buying essential goods or services or working in permitted industries and may do individual outdoor exercises but only within the general area of their residence like within their barangay, purok or subdivision.

Fully vaccinated individuals over 65 years old will be allowed individual outdoor exercises beyond the general area of their residences.

Intrazonal and interzonal travel for persons not required to remain at home may be permitted, subject to rules imposed by LGUs.

Outdoor dine-in services, barbershops, hair spas, nail spas, beauty salons, and physical religious gatherings are allowed to operate for up to 30 percent of their outdoor seating capacity regardless of vaccination status.

These establishments and services can operate indoors for up to 10-percent capacity, but only for those who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Workers in these businesses and services — along with religious ministers and their assistants — must have completed their inoculation as well.

Government agencies and instrumentalities must remain in full operation in these areas and must follow an on-site working capacity of at least 20 percent backed with work-from-home arrangements.

Prohibited to operate under this alert level are medical aesthetic clinics, cosmetic or derma clinics, make-up salons, reflexology, aesthetics, wellness, and holistic centers, and other similar establishments, acupuncture and electrocautery establishments, and massage therapy – including sports therapy establishments.

Indoor sports courts or venues, fitness studios, gyms, spas or other indoor leisure centers or facilities, and swimming pools must remain closed as well and contact sports are banned.

Other businesses and activities that are not mentioned above are allowed to operate at a full capacity, except for those areas under granular lockdown but a minimal on-site working capacity is also encouraged for establishments in this category.

Areas under Alert Level 5 are those identified with “alarming” case counts and critical bed and ICU utilization rates.

This will follow the rules being implemented during enhanced community quarantine.