Following a downward trend in its active COVID-19 cases and a large increase in the number of recoveries, Zamboanga City will be placed under Alert Level 3 to be made effective on November 17 until the end of the month, as announced by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
President Rodrigo Duterte approved the nationwide rollout of the COVID-19 Alert Level System (ALS) through Executive Order No. 151, which was signed last November 11. According to the order, the implementation will be done in four phases.
“The shift to Phase 2 may begin at any time after the effectivity of this order, as may be determined by the IATF, but not later than the end of November 2021. The succeeding phases shall then commence every week thereafter until full nationwide implementation,” read the order.
The National Capital Region, along with other areas where the system was launched in the past two months are considered to be part of the first phase. Region 9, which is part of the third phase, however, is set to adopt the ALS in only less than a week after the system took effect in places under the second phase.
In contrast to the existing community quarantine system, the ALS seeks to accelerate the reopening of businesses and other sectors to boost the economy.
Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Prospero De Vera III announced on November 5 that the IATF has approved limited face-to-face classes on all degree programs for schools located in areas under Alert Level 2. Schools, however, are not required to take part in the resumption of face-to-face classes.
Restrictions eased
In addition to the implementation of the ALS, the City Government of Zamboanga announced the lifting of the Quarantine Pass requirement for fully vaccinated individuals. This will be made effective tomorrow, November 16. The Sunday Lockdown was also lifted for fully vaccinated individuals since last Sunday, November 14.
Earlier today, the City Government also announced that in place of negative RT-PCR test results, fully vaccinated inbound travelers would only need to present their vaccination card and S-pass permit upon entry in all borders of the city. Travelers whose point of origins are under Alert Level 4, however, are required to present results of an antigen test taken within 24 hours of travel from any DOH-accredited laboratory.
Inbound travelers who are not yet vaccinated are still required to present negative RT-PCR test results along with their S-pass permits.
The easing of restrictions comes as the local government ramps up mass vaccination efforts by opening more vaccination sites for walk-in individuals. These sites include fast food restaurants and the city’s Integrated Bus Terminal. As per the latest announcement by the local government earlier today, 219,078 individuals, around 33% of Zamboanga City’s eligible population, are now fully vaccinated.