Remote Staff Remote Staff Remote Staff Remote Staff
  • Home
  • Jobs
  • Our Services
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ
  • Sign Up
  • Log in
Remote Staff Remote Staff
  • Home
  • Jobs
  • Our Services
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ
  • Sign Up
  • Log in
Sep 21
feature -New Alert Levels + Granular Lockdowns What You Should Know from the New COVID Quarantine Guidelines in the Philippines 2

New Alert Levels + Granular Lockdowns: What You Should Know from the New COVID Quarantine Guidelines in the Philippines

  • September 21, 2021
  • Leandro Eclipse
  • No Comments
  • What's Trending

As of writing, daily spikes of COVID cases range from 18,000 to 22,000 a day! The current system is struggling in controlling the virus from spreading.

The closest way to battle it is through vaccination. Right now, fully vaccinated individuals are at 17M and the total is at 40M when counting those with just 1 dose.

We’re getting there. But the battle is far from over. We need to delay the spread while vaccinating most Filipinos to achieve herd immunity.

With that, starting Sept 16, 2021, the Philippines will adopt a new Alert system plus granular lockdowns to hopefully contain the COVID outbreak. And here’s what you can expect.

 

Problem with the Current System

Problem with the Current System

With the past ECQ, MECQ, GCQ classifications, the regional system will close down the whole area to contain the virus. Within that area, some are clearly high-risk but some are relatively safe. Safety first, right?

But this comes with a price. The lockdown areas will have limited economic activity despite being relatively safe. Imagine Quezon city with 1209 barangays closed down just because some barangays are at high risk.

It might be true that most areas in Metro Manila right now are at high risk. But when the outbreak subsides, the new proposed system will ease up economic restrictions on the safer areas.

 

The New System

The New Alert System

With the current system, regional classifications will only be two, ECQ and GCQ. The difference is, between the two, there are 5 Alert levels.

 

chart 1

With the alert levels, there are varying degrees of activities you can do ranging from strictest to less. Alert levels will be based on:

  • Case transmission rates
  • Hospital bed utilization rates
  • Intensive care unit utilization rates

So think about it as GCQ with 4 alert levels, depending on the number of new cases and how pressured the healthcare system in the area is places. And when the alert level reaches 5, the ECQ guidelines will be followed.

 

Who Can Go Out Based on Age

Who Can Go Out Based on Age

For the new system, who can go out is similar to the previous scheme.

 

chart 2

But there’s more leeway for lower alert levels.

 

transportation

Transportation

Regardless of Alert levels, the transportation sector will operate at 100%.

 

chart 3

The only difference is there will be restrictions in movement during Alert level 5 like the restrictions for Consumer APOR and Working APOR. With this, the ECQ guidelines will be followed.

 

What You Can Do During the Alert Levels

What You Can Do During the Alert Levels

So what can you do for each alert level? First, we must understand the 3 Cs establishments. The 3 C’s are the high-risk businesses for covid transmission.

  • Closed or Indoor (like indoor gyms, restaurants
  • Crowded (like conferences, parties, religious gatherings)
  • Closed Contact (like spas and salons)

And only these businesses will change in capacity during the different alert levels. Businesses can also have an increased allowable capacity by 10% if they have a safety seal.

 

chart 4

Businesses outside the 3C’s will remain fully operational regardless of alert level except during alert level 5.

 

Allowed Activities

As for activities, here is the list of prohibited activities per the alert level.

chart 6

Most prohibited activities are similar to the previous quarantine classifications. The difference is the additional leeway for indoor operations on level 3 and level 4.

 

Granular Lockdown

Granular Lockdown

What if you’re region is on alert level 2, but there are high-risk areas still. Instead of closing down the whole region, the government will implement a granular lockdown for these areas.

It can be a barangay, a subdivision, a street, a building, or even just a house. These granular areas will be the only ones subject to stricter lockdown measures like:

  • Stricter enforcement of mobility restrictions and health protocols
  • Active case-finding including door-to-door visits
  • Testing of contacts

Take note; most cities are doing granular lockdown. But the implementation of this scheme will be streamlined over the country as of date.

 

conclusion

Conclusion

How’s the new alert levels for you? Is it clearer or is it still confusing like the previous one? Comment down below for your thoughts! Let’s all work together to survive the pandemic. Cheers!

Facebook Comments

Disclaimer: The above article was written according to the information available as of press time.
All opinions and beliefs expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Remote Staff's, its employees, subcontractors, clients, and affiliates.


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

About The Author

Miko Eclipse is a digital nomad writer who advocates that every Filipino can be a remote worker. Learn as he writes about productivity tips and relevant remote working skills for the modern remote worker today.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

four + 16 =

Recent Posts

  • The Pros and Cons of Getting Side Hustles
  • Gain Financial Independence Through the Right Budgeting Method
  • 7 Energizing Alternatives to Coffee That You Should Try
  • Want to Be Financially Secure? Here is a List of Financial Goals to Guide Your Journey.
  • 4 Main Benefits of Being a Work-At-Home Mom

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020

What's Trending

  • Want to Become in-demand in an Online ASP Job? Here’s How.
  • How to Register to SSS, PAGIBIG, and Philhealth as a Remote Worker
  • What’s the Best Computer Specs for Work-from-home and Remote Working?
  • Ultimate Guide: How to File Your Taxes as a Freelancer or Remote Worker in the Philippines
  • Got No Internet? Here are 5 Pocket Wifi Options You Can Use As Back-Up
  • Honesty is the Best Policy: Examples of Lying in Job Interviews and Why they’re a Bad Idea.
  • 45 High-Paying Online Jobs You Can Apply For to Earn at Home in the Philippines
  • Equality for All: Some of the Laws Concerning PWD Employment in the Philippines
  • Ultimate Guide: Comprehensive List of Benefits you can get from SSS as a Remote worker or Freelancer
  • Why You Need to Complete Your Remote Staff Profile (Plus a Step-by-Step Video On How to Do It)
  • Contact Us

    info@remotestaff.ph

    Office headquarters

    Remote Staff, Inc.
    Level 29 Joy Nostalg Centre
    17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Centre
    Pasig City, 1600
    Philippines

    Links

    • Home
    • Blog
    • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Jobs
    • Privacy Policy
    • Fair Equitable Contracting Policy
    © Copyright Remote Staff - 2023