This Week in Southern Luzon (February 5 to 11, 2022)

The Malacañang announced the alert levels in several areas in the Philippines last January 30, 2022 [1]. Last February 1, Cavite—along with Metro Manila and several CALABARZON provinces—will be under Alert Level 2. As for Batangas, they will be under Alert Level 3 until February 15. Health protocols will depend on the alert level.

The Tagaytay City local government has loosened its health protocol guidelines now that it reverted to a lower alert level. According to Executive Order No. 405, safety protocols and restrictions were eased—which means liquor ban and curfew protocols were eased until February 15. In Dasmariñas, curfew hours will be between 12:00AM to 4:00AM. The curfew hours do not apply to establishments that operate 24 hours [2].

In addition, leisure activities health protocols were imposed in the guidelines due to the spike in COVID-19 cases: bars can operate at 50% indoor and 70% outdoor capacity. Unvaccinated minors can also enter malls and restaurants as per health protocol guidelines.

The local government loosened health protocol restrictions were loosened in Cavite as the province reverted to Alert Level 2. In the new safety protocol guidelines, malls are allowed to operate at 50% capacity for fully vaxxed individuals—while also allowing unvaccinated minors. These health protocol guidelines will be in effect—along with curfew and liquor ban—as long as Cavite remains under Alert Level 2 [3].

The latest study of the OCTA Research group indicates that provinces under CALABARZON are now at moderate risk for COVID-19 as of January 31. According to OCTA, Rizal remains at moderate risk; meanwhile, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon have downgraded to moderate risk due to the low positivity rate. As of January 31, Batangas has a 20% positivity rate; Cavite with 21%, Quezon with 25%, Laguna with 21%, and Rizal with 8% [4].

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Southern Luzon!