MANILA, Philippines — Alert Level 4 will remain in effect in Metro Manila amid the COVID-19 pandemic until October 15, although some businesses will be allowed to expand operations, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Thursday. Lopez made the announcement after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) met to discuss quarantine restrictions. Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 4 last September 16 when the government piloted its new alert level system, with focus on granular lockdowns instead of region-wide quarantine restrictions. The implementation of the new alert level system will only be for Metro Manila for now as the IATF thumbed down proposals to expand it to other areas. Roque said Davao de Oro will also be under GCQ with heightened restrictions but only from October 1 to 15.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 30, 2021 14:29 UTC