Ilocos Norte is On COVID-19 Alert Level 4: What Does It Mean?

Under this alert level, the risk for COVID-19 is at a moderate to a critical level.

By: Denisse Shawntel Tan | August 11, 2021

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Borders are being strictly monitored in Ilocos Norte due to its Alert Level 4 status.

Image: Ilocos Norte 2nd PMFC FB Page

Over the last few weeks, the Ilocos region has seen a rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, leading to stricter protocols and modified lockdowns in various areas in Ilocos Norte like the Laoag and other eight municipalities that were placed under MECQ last July 21.

Due to the alarming number of active cases in the province, the Department of Health (DOH) classified Ilocos Norte under Alert Level 4–currently the highest alert classification system for COVID-19 in the country. Under this alert level, the risk for COVID-19 is at a moderate to a critical level—which means ICU utilization or COVID-19 bed utilization rate is greater than 70%. Local government units of areas under this classification are recommended to implement localized lockdowns and increase hospital beds and oxygen tanks.

As of August 9, Ilocos breached its 10,000th mark of infections in the area, with 268 new cases added to the tally last August 8. Out of these 10,000 cases, 4,120 are active, and 5,748 are recovered. The death toll is 148. The majority of the active cases in Ilocos Norte came from its capital Laoag City with 1,047 active cases, Batac City, with 563, Bacarra at 324, Pasuquin at 226, and Sarrat at 211.

The heightened guidelines

The local government of Ilocos Norte tightens travel protocols due to the surge of infections. On their Facebook page last July 30, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte released the general guidelines for authorized persons outside residences (APOR) and returning and visiting residents.

Under the guidelines, quarantine is no longer required if testing requirements were fulfilled. Returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs) are advised to coordinate with the mayors to schedule arrivals.

At borders, personnel was asked to expedite entry to minimize the waiting time for entrants. However, the province can also directly accept entrants. Approved vehicles by the mayor or their representative are authorized to fetch any LSI or ROF at the border. As for residents, antigen testing is required, which will cost PhP500. The health check will also be conducted at the border upon entry.

Fully vaccinated individuals are still required to undergo testing. Essential travel requirements to bring include valid IDs (company or agency ID for APORs) and QR codes or receipt of COVID-19 tests.

Requirements per traveler classification

Aside from the requirements mentioned above, other conditions are also needed depending on the traveler’s classification.

For ROFs or LSIs, the requirements are the following:
● Negative RT-PCR conducted at least 60 hours before arrival
● Written permission (hard, soft, or verbal) of the mayor or their representative
● Returning resident admittance that will be secured at the border
● Self-containment at home for one week.

For non-Ilocos Norte resident APORs:
● Negative RT-PCR has taken 60 hours before arrival
● Travel order or proof of work
● Movements and stay must also be minimized while in Ilocos Norte.

As for residents exiting Ilocos Norte, the following are requirements depending on the quarantine classification of the destination.

For those traveling to areas under ECQ, MECQ, or GCQ for less than five days:
● RT-PCR on the third or fourth day of stay in Ilocos Norte after trip
● Proof of Ilocos Norte residency
● Resident exit pass which will be obtainable at the border
● Self-containment at home for a week

For those traveling to areas under ECQ, MECQ, or GCQ for more than five days
● RT-PCR test upon arrival in Ilocos Norte
● Proof of Ilocos Norte residency
● Self-containment at home for a week

For residents traveling to areas under MGCQ for less than five days
● RT-PCR test on the third or fourth day of stay in Ilocos Norte after trip
● Proof of Ilocos Norte residency
● Self-containment at home for a week

For residents traveling to areas under MGCQ for more than five days
● RT-PCR test upon arrival in Ilocos Norte
● Proof of Ilocos Norte residency
● Self-containment at home for a week

Currently, only Ilocos Norte is under alert level 4 in all of the Ilocos regions. There are 36 other areas under the same alert level. According to DOH, different areas under Alert Level 4 include the following areas:

● Las Piñas
● Muntinlupa
● Pateros
● Quezon City
● Taguig
● Malabon
● Makati
● San Juan
● Apayao
● Baguio City
● Benguet
● Cagayan
● Nueva Vizcaya
● Quirino
● Angeles City
● Bataan
● Olongapo City
● Pampanga
● Tarlac
● Batangas
● Cavite
● Laguna
● Quezon province
● Lucena City
● Iloilo
● Iloilo City
● Cebu
● Cebu City
● Lapu-Lapu City
● Mandaue City
● Tacloban City
● Bukidnon
● Cagayan De Oro City
● Camiguin
● Davao City
● General Santos City


Visit Yoorekka Consumer Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Ilocos and Northern Luzon!


All details and information in this article are true and accurate as of the publication date. However, while we are making our utmost effort to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the condition surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be unpredictable, and the situation develops rapidly. Hence, some information and recommendations may have changed since this article was published. For the latest advice, visit DOH and your LGU's official websites.



Sources:
● https://bit.ly/3CC1Le8
● https://bit.ly/2VJ3DRC
● https://bit.ly/3xGr5wc
● https://bit.ly/3fOwvz7


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About Denisse Shawntel Tan

Denisse Tan is currently a work in progress: she’s an aspiring writer, artist, and fashion designer! She’s trying to figure out how to manage her time in achieving all of her goals while also taking in life as humanly possible. Aside from art, she’s a big fan of the color pink, disco music, Bratz dolls, and Genshin Impact. By age 35, she plans to travel to New York City 🗽.

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