This Week in Metro Manila (November 20 to 26, 2021)

The national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) released the updated alert level system in the entire country [1]. This system will be in effect until November 30.

Under the updated alert level systems, Metro Manila will be under Alert Level 2 and Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region. The rest of the alert levels are the following:

●Ilocos region

●Soccsksargen

●Easter Visayas

●City of Santiago

●Cagayan

●Isabela

●Bicol region

●Zamboanga peninsula

●Baguio City

●Siquijor

●Batanes

●Quirino

●Nueva Vizcaya

●City of Isabela

●Zamboanga City

The announcement has yet to be made for the remaining areas.

The operators of Metro Manila rails announced that they will now allow optional face shield use in transportation as President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to make it only voluntary to wear face shields [2] for all passengers. However, doctors and health experts urged the public to use face shields, especially children, to add another layer of protection.

Metro Manila mayors are now planning to meet to discuss a possible trip and transportation ban for unvaccinated children after the news broke that a two-year-old boy tested positive for COVID-19 [3].Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. announced that the announcement would be soon. The meeting will include discussions of guidelines and health protocols for children going outdoors. One of the potential rules in the policy will be a travel ban for unvaccinated children. The government will make more guidelines under the supervision of pediatric experts.

Children between 12 to 17 years old are now receiving their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines. So far, none have reported terrible health side effects [3]. Children were previously not allowed to go outside in lockdown.

The Cinema Exhibitors Association Of the Philippines released a list of cinemas that are now open to fully vaccinated individuals [4]. During the lockdown, indoor leisure facilities like cinemas were closed.

The following are the list of mall cinemas in Metro Manila that have reopened:

●Century

●Circuit

●Glorietta 4

●Power Plant

●Fishermall

●Cinerama

●Lucky Chinatown

●Festival Mall

●Manila Bay

●Newport

●Cloverleaf

●Eastwood

●Fairview Terraces

●Gateway

●Trinoma

●Greenhills

●Santolan Town Plaza

●Bonifacio High Street

●Market Market

●Uptown

●Venice

Health protocols like wearing face masks and proper social distancing apply. Cinema-goers are also allowed not to use face shields.

The Valenzuela City local government now allows tiangge and bazaars in the area starting last November 13 per the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) resolution No. 21 to 27. The resolution indicates that small businesses can operate during the holiday season as long as vendors and organizers are all fully-vaccinated. As proof, all staff and vendors must present their COVID-19 vaccination cards [5].

President Rodrigo Duterte announced last November 15 that the use of face shields is now not required in areas with low COVID-19 cases and alert levels. Face shield use is now not mandatory in areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3. However, it is still compulsory in areas under granular lockdowns and Alert Level 5. As for Alert Level 4, it is up to the local governments and private establishments to implement whether face shield use will be mandatory [6].

The public can now use face shields voluntarily, but other health practices like wearing face masks will remain.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Metro Manila!