Baguio City will be placed under Alert Level 3. This is according to the announcement from the National government through Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, the current acting spokesperson. According to the announcement, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) approved the recommendation of its sub-technical working group on Data Analytics escalating several areas to Alert Level 3 status from January 9-15, 2022.

The escalation of alert level status comes after the Philippines recorded a high number of COVID-19 cases recorded in a single day since September of 2021. On January 6, 2022, the Philippines recorded 17,220 new COVID-19 cases.

In Baguio City, the local government unit has recorded 109 cases on January 5 and 52 new cases on January 6, 2022. The numbers are higher compared to the recorded cases in December of 2021 where there are days where zero (0) new cases were recorded.

Areas Escalated to Alert Level 3 Status

Baguio City is not the only area escalated to Alert level 3 status. There are 14 areas in the Philippines that will be shifting to alert level 3 status from January 9 – 15, 2022, these are:

• Angeles City
• Baguio City
• Batangas
• Bataan
• Cagayan
• Dagupan City
• Iloilo City
• Lapulapu City
• Lucena City
• Naga City
• Olongapo City
• Pampanga
• Santiago City
• Zambales

What are the guidelines under Alert Level 3

Stricter protocols are being implemented in areas under Alert level 3. The following is the summary of what is allowed and not allowed in areas under the Alert level 3 status.

• Interzonal and Intrazonal travel is Allowed subject to reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities as determined by the LGU’s, subject to monitoring and evaluation of their respective RIATF.
• Those below eighteen (18) and those in the vulnerable population are allowed access to obtain essential goods and services.
• The vulnerable population is also allowed access to work in permitted industries and offices in accordance with existing labor laws.
• Individual outdoor exercises shall be allowed for all ages regardless of vaccination status or comorbidities.

The following Establishments/Activities are NOT ALLOWED under Alert Level 3

• Face-To-Face or in-person classes for basic education, except those previously approved by the IATF and/or the office of the President.
• Contact Sports, except those conducted under a bubble-type setup as provided for under relevant guidelines adopted by the IATF, Games and Amusement board, and the Philippines Sports Commission, and APPROVED by the LGU.
• Funfairs/peryas and kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides.
• Venues with live voice or wind instrument performers, and audiences such as karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters.
• Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting, and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments except as may be authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President.
• Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.

The Following Establishments and Activities shall be allowed following a 30% indoor capacity for vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity. PROVIDED all workers/employees of these establishments are fully vaccinated.

• Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE)
• Permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers.
• Visitors or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints, or overlooks.
• Amusement parks or theme parks;
• Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues;
• Cinemas and movie houses;
• Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training;
• In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 and for the cremains of the COVID-19 deceased;
• Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject to the health and safety guidelines as approved by the IATF;
• Dine-in services in food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols;
• Personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options, subject to the sector-specific protocols of the DTI;
• Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for non-contact exercise and sports, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols. Provided that patrons/clients and workers/employees wear face masks at all times and that no group activities are conducted; and
• Film, music, and television production, subject to the joint guidelines as may be issued by the DTI, DOLE, and the DOH.

Under alert level 3 government offices shall remain to be fully operational subject to 30% on-site capacity while applying work-from-home or flexible work arrangements.

Sources: IATF and Department of Health