Manila to ease Covid-19 restrictions from tomorrow

Authorities in The Philippines have decided to continue easing Covid-19 countermeasures due to a decline in new cases.

The Philippines.- The capital Manila and 38 other regions in the The Philippines have been placed under Alert Level 1 Covid-19 restrictions from March 1 until at least March 15. Alert Level 1 is the lowest level of countermeasure. The decision was taken after a decline in new Covid-19 cases.

The presidential spokesperson made the announcement and said the country’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases had approved the easing of the measures. Masks must still be worn in public and indoors.

Those aged 18 and over must show proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 to attend mass gatherings or indoor facilities. In recent months, casinos have been operating but on a limited basis and only fully vaccinated customers were allowed to enter. Non-entertainment venues were limited to 40 per cent indoor and 60 per cent outdoor capacity. 

The government is planning to lift quarantine requirements for foreign tourists subject to a negative test for Covid-19. The announcement is seen as positive for the country’s POGO industry, which employs a large number of expatriate workers from mainland China and Asia.

According to acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, in 2021 the country saw only 1.4 million arrivals, significantly lower than the 3.6 million in 2020. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Philippines was seeing 16.9 million arrivals.