Wishing for some semblance of the ‘old normal’? Well, here’s some good news for you: the current Alert Level 2 being imposed in Metro Manila may deescalate even further. The Department of Health (DOH) said this is possible if the country’s COVID-19 infections decrease to 500 per day.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the de-escalation of the alert level will depend on the data. “Kung ang datos ay patuloy naman na bumababa, halimbawa kahapon nasa 2,000, a little over 2,000 lang tayo. So posible na kapag below 1,000 tayo or 500 per day ay baka puwede natin ibaba pa hanggang Alert Level 1 (If the numbers will continue to go down, for example, we had a little over 2,000 yesterday. So it’s possible that if it’s below 1,000 or 500 per day, we may go down to Alert Level 1),” he said.
Lowering the alert level in the National Capital Region (NCR) would mean more sectors would open up, which is good for the economy. “Sino ba naman ang may ayaw na mas mababa ang ating alert level (Who doesn’t want to lower our alert level)?” Duque said.
“Mas malaking bahagi ng ekonomiya ang ating mabubuksan at mas marami din tayong mababawing mga trabahong nawala. At ang sigla ng ekonomiya ay manumbalik at ang normal ay bumalik din sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino (A bigger portion of our economy will open up and we will regain more jobs. The economy will return and the lives of every Filipino will return to normal.),” he added.
Well, there you have it. There is a chance things will go ‘back to normal’ sooner rather than later. Until then, it’s best to do one’s part and follow safety protocols.
Art Daniella Sison
