Metro Manila to stay under Alert Level 2 until end-February

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila will remain under Alert Level 2 until the end of February, Malacañang announced on Monday despite decreasing COVID-19 cases.

The capital region will retain current restrictions against COVID-19 from February 16 to 28, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said.  

Under Alert Level 2, the maximum operational capacities for several businesses and activities is 50% for indoor venues, fully vaccinated persons, and those below 18 years of age, even if unvaccinated and 70% for outdoor venues provided all workers of the establishments are fully inoculated against COVID-19.

According to the Department of Health, the capital region was at moderate risk for COVID-19 spread.

The following areas will be placed under Alert Level 2 from February 16 to 28:

• Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province in the Cordillera Administrative Region
   
• Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan in Ilocos region
   
• Batanes, City of Santiago, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino in Cagayan Valley
   
• Bulacan, Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales in Central Luzon
   
• Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, Laguna, Lucena City and Quezon Province in Calabarzon
   
• Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Puerto Princesa City and Romblon in Mimaropa
   
• Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Naga City and Sorsogon in Bicol region
   
• Aklan, Antique, Bacolod City, Capiz and Negros Occidental in Western Visayas
   
• Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor Central Visayas
   
• Ormoc City, Tacloban City, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Biliran and Southern Leyte Eastern Visayas
   
• City of Isabela, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay in Region Zamboanga Peninsula
   
• Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao
   
• Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental in Davao region
   
• General Santos City, North Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat in Soccsksargen
   
• Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Butuan City and Dinagat Islands in Caraga
   
• Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and Lanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Meanwhile, the following areas will be under Alert Level 3 until the end of the month:

• Iloilo City, Iloilo Province and Guimaras in Western Visayas
   
• Zamboanga City in Zamboanga Peninsula
   
• Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental in Davao region
   
• South Cotabato in Soccsksargen

The Philippines has reported 3.6 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, with nearly 55,000 deaths. — Gaea Katreena Cabico