Metro Manila Mayors to extend Alert Level 2 until Feb. 28

The number of active cases in Metro Manila might be going down compared to the first few weeks of January, but that doesn’t mean we should let our guards down. It seems the Metro Manila Council (MMC), comprised of all mayors of Metro Manila, share the same sentiments.

According to Atty. Romando Artes, Officer-in-Charge and General Manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the MMC has recommended to Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) that the Alert Level 2 status in the National Capital Region be extended until the end of February 2022. Subsequently, the council has also unanimously approved the resolution on the retention of Alert Level 2 in the capital region until February 28.

“Metro mayors have considered three important reasons. In addition, only five out of 17 local government units (LGUs) in the NCR have a low-risk classification for COVID-19 transmission, while the rest have a moderate risk classification,” said Artes.

The mayors of Metro Manila believe that lowering the alert level in the region could potentially result in super spreader events in the region, especially with the start of the May 2022 election campaign period. As a result, they want to wait for further improvement in the risk classifications of 12 Metro Manila LGUs which are presently under moderate classification. In addition, the resolution says that the economic gains and advancement in health care that were realized in the past weeks under Alert Level 2 must be preserved, maintained, and improved.

With the campaign period ongoing, Artes appeals to the public and candidates to exercise caution in public places and during events.

As before, exercise caution when going out and remember to follow the minimum health protocols at all times. The cases might be low now, but we wouldn’t want to experience another super spreader event.