According to independent monitoring group OCTA Research, the de-escalation of the National Capital Region (NCR) and numerous other locations to a COVID-19 Alert Level 1 can boost the country’s economic recovery and mitigate the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
OCTA Research Fellow Dr. Guido David remarked during a Laging Handa briefing that the Philippine government had to take some chances to reopen the economy because of the continuous conflict between the two countries.
“We need this na rin eh. I mean, we need to balance public health and the economy, [but] with the growing concerns worldwide, internationally especially ‘yung Ukraine-Russia war, we have to be able to keep up with the economic impact and this is the one way of keeping up with the economic impact,” David said.
“With the Ukraine-Russia conflict, it changes the importance of things. That’s why it’s also important for us to make sure na ‘yung economic recovery natin is on its way so that ma-minimize ‘yung impact ng effects ng other countries sa ating situation (so we could minimize the effects of other countries with our situation),” he added.
COVID-19 infections in the country may drop to less than 1,000 per day starting this week, according to David.
Alert Level 1 may lessen impact of Ukraine-Russia conflict – OCTA
“We’re projecting na by tomorrow, nasa triple number na lang ‘yung cases natin sa buong bansa (in the whole country). By next week, definitely, tuloy-tuloy na ‘yan daily([it will be continuing daily), we won’t be seeing more than 1,000 cases,” he said.
He also projected that the number of cases would be down to roughly 500 each day by mid-March.
To avoid a return of illnesses, he stressed the significance of adhering to the minimal public health requirements.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has issued a COVID-19 Alert Level 1 for the National Capital Region from March 1, 2022, to March 15, 2022.
Under Alert Level 1, all businesses, people, and activities can operate at full capacity. However, according to DTI chief Lopez, the obligation for vaccinations would remain in place for indoor activities.
“Magbubukas ang ekonomiya but less ang restrictions [The economy will open but there will be less restrictions],” Lopez said.
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