Six areas placed under Alert Level 3

MANILA, Philippines — Six more areas have been placed under Alert Level 3 as the government continues to contend with the rising number of COVID-19 infections outside Metro Manila.

The provinces of Palawan, Camiguin, Davao Occidental, Dinagat Islands, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu would be under Alert Level 3 starting Friday (January 28) until February 15, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said in a statement issued Thursday.  

Businesses and activities in areas under Alert Level 3 are allowed up to 30% indoor capacity for fully vaccinated persons and 50% outdoor venues.

The government's pandemic task force is expected to announce the updated classifications of Metro Manila and other areas this weekend.

The Philippines is classified as high risk but the majority of its regions are under critical risk because of a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections. Only Metro Manila, SOCCSKSARGEN, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and MIMAROPA are categorized as high risk while the rest of the regions are at critical risk

Nograles recently cited the need to increase the hospital bed capacities in areas outside Metro Manila so they won't be escalated to the stricter Alert Level 4, where establishments and activities are only  allowed up to 10% capacity for indoor venues and 30% for outdoor venues.