Localities in the National Capital Region (NCR) will first be subjected to a single alert level once the implementation of the granular lockdown in the region begins, which is the government’s new COVID-19 policy.
This Monday, the government is set to announce the granular lockdown guidelines to be implemented in NCR on September 16, 2021.
According to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, this is also based on the united suggestion of Metro Manila mayors.
He said it aims to prevent citizens from gathering in areas that are under a lower alert level.
“They (Metro Manila mayors) were unanimous in saying NCR should only have only one alert level,” said Densing.
“Kahit may lower alert level ’yung ibang siyudad, magkakadikit pa rin ho ‘yan sila. Ang mangyayari lang po d’yan, lilipat sila dun sa mas mababang alert level at dun sila gagawa ng aktibidades,” he explained.
It was learned that the Department of Health (DOH) would be the authority to declare an alert level in an area and be consulted before issuing the announcement regarding the lockdown.
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COVID-19 Alert Level System imposed in Metro Manila starting Sept. 16
“Burahin na po sa isip muna natin dito sa NCR ‘yung mga CQ-CQ dahil ibang panuntunan na po ’yung ating gagamitin mula September 16,” he said.
Meanwhile, Densing also reported that NCR has almost reached population protection against COVID-19 because 77% of its target population has already been vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine.
He also said that up to 85 or 86% of the target population in the region have already received the first dose of the vaccine.
“Kaya nga po, pinaylot natin sa NCR itong alert levels, at ang pagbabago ng sistema dahil nakita natin dito na karamihan ng ating kababayan dito sa (NCR) ay nabakunahan na,” he said.
The pilot implementation of the granular lockdown in Metro Manila is expected to take two weeks or until the end of September.
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