What a nostalgic feeling of coming out of home with fewer
worries, as all of the ages can come out in a new normal world. What will
happen now and what do we need to know?
As the Covid-19 disease curves went down, the IATF-EID or the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease approved placing the National Capital Region under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15 together with 38 other areas. After nearly three years of Covid-1 reaching our country, finally, we’re now be facing the new normal.
For our information, what exactly should we know under Alert level 1? The IATF said that there are no restrictions under Alert Level 1. There’ll be no restrictions in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities. Everyone, yes, everyone can now undertake without regard to age and even comorbidities interzonal and intrazonal travel.
This is indeed good news for every one of us as everything seems back to normal. Apart from this good news, let’s not forget that the virus was still present. Alert level 1 is the phase where Covid-19 cases are not as big an emergency way back two years ago when it was in its highest peak. Inclined with this, if it’ll be asking if the Covid-19 will be considered as endemic, the answer is “not yet”. This disease may still classify as a worldwide pandemic. Though wearing a face shield was not required anymore, we should still be aware of what is in our surroundings so wearing a facemask, is a must!
Covid-19 Alert Level System
But to think that some areas of the country are now under the Covid-19 Alert Level System, what should we need to know about these?
Alert Level 5
It refers to areas wherein the count of cases is alarming. The rate of total bed utilization and intensive care unit was in a critical utilization.
Alert Level 4
It refers to areas wherein the count of cases is high and/or increasing. The rate of total bed utilization and the intensive care unit was in high utilization.
Alert Level 3
It refers to areas wherein the count of cases is high and/or increasing. The rate of total bed utilization and the intensive care unit was increasing utilization.
Alert Level 2
It refers to ‘areas wherein the count of case transmission is low and decreasing. The utilization of health care is low, or case counts are low but increasing. Moreover, the case counts are low and decreasing yet the total utilization rate of bed and intensive care units is increasing.
Lastly, and very timely to talk about at these times is Alert Level 1, what we need and should know about the Alert Level 1 Guidelines?
Alert Level 1
To give a quick understanding of this level, it refers to areas with a low and decreasing case of transmission. For the establishments and activities, here are the guidelines under IATF approved guidelines for Alert Level 1 that we need to know.
Masks to stay on
Ever since the pandemic started, wearing a facemask is part of our daily living. Indoor or outdoor setting, we must wear it properly. Even the alert level went down, people are still required to keep their facemask on, except when eating and drinking. Physical distancing should be maintained when participating in outdoor sports/exercise activities.
All workplaces and establishments may operate at 100% capacity
The new IATF Alert Level 1 Guidelines, it includes that in compliance with national rules with regard to vaccination requirements for on-site work, all private offices and workplaces, government agencies, and instrumentalities, including public and private constructions to operate with full capacity. Apart from this, government agencies and instrumentalities should remain on a 100% on-site workforce. In addition, it is not required for the establishments to set up isolation facilities n the workplace.
Full capacity on public transport
Under Alert Level 1, public transportation shall be at full sitting capacity. It is not required to use acrylic or plastic dividers. For aviation, maritime, and rail public transport, the passenger capacity in and out of the Alert Level 1 area will be at 100%. It is not required the use the Safe, Swift Smart Passage, also known as S-PaSS under Alert Level 1 for interzonal travel areas.
No paper-based contact trading and digital contact tracing is optional
It is not required to have paper-based contact tracing or health declaration forms under Alert Level 1 in all agencies and establishments. On the other hand, it is optional now the use digital contact tracings such as the application, SatySfae.PH.
Proof of vaccination is required for adults
It will be required to present the proof of full vaccination to all individuals who are 18-years-old and up to enter indoor establishments and/or participate in mass gatherings such as the following:
- In-person religious gatherings
- All indoor dining services including restaurants, eateries, kiosks, and commissaries
- Gatherings for necrological services, internment, and funerals
- It is not required for the proof of vaccination for takeout and outdoor
- All indoor personal care establishments such as hair salons, barbershops, nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic procedures or services, reflexology, salons, spas, and other similar procedures including home service options.
- All indoor movie houses or cinemas operating at full capacity
- Gyms, fitness studios, and venues for sports and exercise
- Meetings, conferences, exhibition events, and permitted venues for social events such as parties, engagement parties, birthday parties, wedding receptions and anniversaries, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers
- Venues for election-related events
- Indoor necessary establishments in hotels and other establishments
- Venues such as karaoke bars, theaters, concert halls, and clubs
Before entering into such establishments that are crowded, closed, and close contact settings, the proof of vaccination should be shown. It will not be required for minors or those 17-years-old and below to present proof of vaccination status.
On testing, quarantine, and isolation
For testing protocols, it’ll be prioritizing unvaccinated and those that have a high risk of exposure. Seniors, persons with comorbidities, and health workers will continue to prioritize the use of RT-PCR tests. The Covid-19 testing for those not part of these groups will be optional. Unless symptoms start to show up, testing is not recommended for asymptomatic close contacts.
For isolation, individuals should immediately isolate if symptomatic regardless of testing results and monitor symptoms. From the last day of exposure, swabbing should take at least 5 days if testing will be done.
Here are the guidelines for quarantine and isolation that will continue to be observed. Under Alert Level 1, the quarantine isolation period as of March 1, 2022, are the following:
Quarantine
- For fully vaccinated, quarantine for zero (0) days, if asymptomatic; moreover, with continued symptom monitoring up to 14 days, strict observance of health protocols
- For partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, quarantine for 14days with continued system monitoring up to 14 days, strict observance of health protocols
Isolation
- For fully vaccinated, isolate for 7 days from onset of symptoms of positive test
- For partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, isolate for 10 days from onset of symptoms or positive test
These guidelines under Alert Level 1 are very much different compared to the IATF Alert Level 2 guidelines. Indeed, the new normal was ahead of us. Don’t forget to wear a facemask upon leaving your home, wash and sanitize your hands, and stay safe.
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Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Ortigas, Baguio, Cebu, and CDO that are strategically located within major cities, in close proximity to premium universities, transit-oriented locations, and developed business districts.
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