Guidelines for Granular Lockdowns in Metro Manila already ratified

Metro Manila will be placed under granular lockdown with its guidelines and alert level system already gratified by the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the new classification framework will start this September 16, 2021.

It was also stated that the new classification framework proactively advocates the Principles of 3C’s strategy, which covers Closed, Crowded, and Close Contact. This also serves as the government’s solution to give balance health and economy during the amidst pandemic.

Instead of the four-tier ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, and MECQ system, the government will only have two prevailing community quarantine levels, specifically ECQ and GCQ. Its strict implementation will include 5 alert levels that would differentiate cities and/or municipalities in terms of the rules and activities allowed throughout the quarantine period. Areas placed under level 5 will observe ECQ while levels 1 to 4 will be under GCQ. For better understanding, below is a list and explanation of each alert level:

• Alert Level 1 - refers to areas wherein case transmission is low and decreasing, total bed utilization rate, and intensive care unit utilization rate is low.
• Alert Level 2 - refers to areas wherein case transmission is low and decreasing, healthcare utilization is low, or case counts are low but increasing, or case counts are low and decreasing but total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate is increasing.
• Alert Level 3 - refers to areas wherein case counts are high and/or increasing, with total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate at increasing utilization.
• Alert Level 4 - refers to areas wherein case counts are high and/or increasing, with total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate are high.
• Alert Level 5 - refers to areas wherein case counts are alarming, with total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate at a critical level.

The Department of Health (DOH) shall be the one to identify the alert level of an area that is then to be followed by certain protocols to be strictly imposed. Again, the new quarantine classification shall push through this September 16, 2021, with the authorities stating that granular lockdowns must last for at least 14 days.