MANILA, Philippines — (Updated 10:32 p.m.) Metro Manila, pilot area for a new quarantine classification system, will stay under Alert Level 4 from October 1 to 15, Malacañang announced Thursday night.
The National Capital Region was put on Alert Level 4 on September 16 but officials, citing lower daily increases in COVID-19 cases said a lower alert level in the capital was possible. The Department of Health has been cautious on the decrease in daily cases, saying testing had also decreased.
Less restrictions under Alert Level 4
In a statement, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the pandemic task force approved raising to 20% capacity the following indoor services for fully vaccinated individuals in Alert Level 4 areas: dine-in services, in-person religious services, and personal care services.
He said establishments allowed to operate under the same alert level with Safety Seal Certification will also be allowed additional venue capacity of 10% beyond the prescribed venue or seating capacity.
"In the same meeting, the IATF also approved the reopening of fitness studios and gyms at a limited 20 percent capacity for fully vaccinated individuals, provided that all gym workers should also be fully vaccinated," Roque added.
"Both clients and service providers shall also wear face mask at all times and no group activities will be allowed."
Roque in a briefing on Thursday said the number of daily new infections has gone down from highs of 20,000 per day. He also said that government needs to sustain efforts against COVID-19.
"It shows that our strategy is working," Roque said.
Pilot pediatric vaccination approved starting October 15
The presidential spokesman also confirmed that the proposed vaccination of minors ages 12 to 17 starting was approved by the task force.
"The pilot will begin on October 15, 2021 under a phased approach as may be determined by the National Vaccination Operations Center," Roque said.
"The IATF also affirms, upon the directives of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the opening of the national vaccination program to the general population nationwide upon the determination of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and its Vaccine Cluster."
Other community quarantine classifications
Enhanced Community Quarantine (Oct. 1-15)
Apayao, Kalinga
Bataan
Batanes
Bulacan
Cavite
Iloilo Province
Lucena City
Naga City
Rizal, Laguna
General Community Quarantine with heightened restrictions (Oct. 1 - 31)
Abra
Bacolod City
Baguio City
Batangas
Bohol
Butuan City
Cagayan de Oro City
Cagayan, Isabela
Capiz
City of Santiago
Davao Occidental
Davao de Oro will also be (only from October 1-15)
Davao del Norte
Ilocos Sur
Iloilo City
Lapu-Lapu City
Misamis Oriental
Negros Orienta
Nueva Vizcaya
Pangasinan
Quezon
Quirino
Surigao del Sur
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Sur
GCQ (Oct. 1-31)
Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Aklan
Albay
Antique
Benguet
Camarines Norte
Cebu City
Cebu Province
Cotabato City
Dagupan City
Davao City
Davao Oriental
Davao del Sur
Dinagat Islands
General Santos City
Guimaras
Ifugao
Iligan City
Ilocos Norte
Lanao del Sur
Mandaue City
Marinduque
Misamis Occidental
Negros Occidental
North Cotabato
Occidental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro
Puerto Princesa
Sarangani
Siquijor
South Cotabato
Sultan Kudarat
Surigao del Norte
Tacloban City
Tarlac
Zamboanga City
Zamboanga Sibugay
The rest of the country will be under the least stringent form of lockdown, modified GCQ.