This Week in Central Luzon (November 13 to 19, 2021)

Subic is under Alert Level 2 from November 1 to 14. With this, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone released a guideline that indicates rules for travel and other activities within the area. According to the policy, inter and intra zonal travel will be allowed for all ages. Interzonal travelers coming from areas under strict lockdown and higher quarantine levels will need to be fully vaccinated. They must present their vaccination card upon travel, especially those over the age of 65, with comorbidities, or pregnant. Testing is not a travel requirement unless it’s a prerequisite by an event organizer or establishment [1].

When it comes to exercising, it is allowed as long as it’s outdoors; it applies to all ages and all vaccination statuses. Persons with health concerns and comorbidities can also participate. Indoor dine-in is allowed for 50% capacity in establishments for fully-vaccinated individuals ages 15 and above only. As for outdoor, establishments can operate 70% of their venue capacity as long as all workers are vaccinated.

Unvaccinated individuals aged 14 years old and below are only allowed to eat in outdoor settings. For safe travel, health protocols should be followed.

Other allowed establishments in Subic Bay are the following:

● Meetings, exhibits, conferences, and incentives

● Venues for parties (weddings, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, birthday parties, baby showers, and family reunions).

● Cultural, tourist, and educational attractions like museums, galleries, gardens, overlooks, scenic viewpoints, archives, parks, plazas, public gardens, and the like.

● Barbershops, beauty salons, and spas

These establishments can operate at a limited capacity of 50% and 70% for indoor and outdoor venues. For the latter, all employees must be fully vaccinated.

Allowed establishments also include the following:

● Amusement parks and theme parks

● Shopping malls

● Internet cafes, arcades, billiard halls, bowling halls, skating rinks, archery halls, and swimming pools

● Cinemas with approval from SBMA

● Fitness hubs and non-contact sports and exercises subjected to DTI’s sector-specific protocols

● Film, music, and television production with approval from DTI, DOH, and DOLE.

● Non-contact sports like tennis, swimming, biking, golf, jogging, walking, running, equestrian, skateboarding, and range shooting

● Playgrounds, playrooms, and funfairs as long as with strict adult supervision

● Karaoke, concert halls, clubs, and theaters with approval from SBMA

● Gathering in residences with persons who do not belong in the same household

The national government eased travel restrictions to famous destination spots to revive the tourism sector, which has been heavily hit during the lockdown.

A new market that sells and exhibits products made by Aestas was launched by the Clark Development Corp (CDC) last November 17 in a shopping area inside the Clark Freeport. Called “Ayta Na,” the market offers various products from Indigenous Peoples (IPs). For one, those shopping for seafood will also love products from Candaba and Sasmuan, Pampanga. Souvenirs and fresh produce will come from Arayat, Porac Pampanga, plants from Baguio City, and delicacies and desserts from Candaba, Pampanga, and Bamban Tarlac are also available. The market is open daily from Monday to Sunday [2].

Angeles City records excellent improvement in the area’s COVID-19 cases and vaccination progress. According to Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center’s (RLMMC) chief, Dr. Froilan Canlan, Angeles City records a drop in COVID-19 cases for the past two weeks as of November 2, 2021. Froilan adds that the improvement is due to the city’s effective vaccination efforts. In addition, the hospitals in the area are no longer experiencing an overwhelming number of cases, with only recorded 90 average daily infections compared to the early months of the lockdown [3].

The city government also started to vaccinate residents, workers, and students in Magalang town. The vaccine will be distributed through a mobile bus clinic to help vaccination drives in neighboring towns. The current goal is to distribute 10,000 vaccines per day.

As for Subic’s health and vaccine news, over 4,000 minors aged between 12 to 17 have registered to receive their COVID-19 vaccines as of November 2, according to Dr. Nadjimin Ngilay, a Subic health officer. He adds that about 30 to 40% of these registered minors have health concerns and comorbidities. Vaccine brands eligible for minors like Pfizer and Moderna were used. As for those ages 5 to 11, Ngilay adds that they are waiting for DOH’s announcement [4].

After a year in lockdown, the national government now allows vaccination of minors as face-to-face classes will undergo a trial phase.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more guidelines in Central Luzon and COVID-19 updates.