This Week in Southern Luzon (January 8 to 14, 2022)

Tagaytay City Mayor Agnes Tolentino issued Executive Order No.44 series 2022 last January 5, covering stricter health protocols in the city as Cavite reverts to Alert Level 3. Under the new safety and health protocols, the new curfew hours will be from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. Aside from the new curfew hours, venue capacities for social events were also adjusted: a maximum of 30% for indoor capacity and 50% for outdoor venues for safety protocols.

The venues must also accommodate only fully vaccinated individuals and employees [1]. Part of the safety protocols also includes adjusting the duration of the fireworks for events to only 15 minutes only. Due to the curfew hours, fireworks shows can only be as late as 7:00 PM. LGUs might also impose a liquor ban.

The Malacañang announced the shift of alert levels in several areas in the country last January 4. From January 5 to 15, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal will revert to Alert Level 3 due to the surge in cases possibly caused by the Omicron variant [2]. While Laguna will revert to Alert Level 3 on January 7 to 15.

Under Alert Level 3 guidelines, only limited establishments can operate as per minimum health protocols. Those prohibited include cockpits, lotteries, casinos, live music venues, betting shops, carnivals, amusement parks, and funfairs that are not allowed to operate. Gatherings of individuals not belonging to the same household will be prohibited as part of the Alert Level 3 safety protocols. A liquor ban is also applicable.

Only Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal are under Alert Level 3 until January 15–contrary to the fake infographics circulating social media that claim 30 areas across the Philippines are also under Alert Level 3 [3]. The Department of Health (DOH) debunked the circulating fake news on their official Facebook page.

An alarming rise in COVID-19 cases was seen across different Luzon hospitals over the first few days of January. Regional health offices across Central Luzon, South Luzon, and the Bicol region noted a recent rise of infections [4]. In Cavite, Governor Jonvic Remulla noted in his Twitter account that cases soar to 1,156 as of January 5 compared to 327 last December 31, 2021 [5]. He then reminds the public to follow preventive measures and safety protocols like avoiding unnecessary socializing.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Southern Luzon!