The Philippines on Tuesday started the shift to the "new normal" of living with the coronavirus, two years after the pandemic started and one year after the first vaccine was administered locally.
Metro Manila and 38 other areas were de-escalated to Alert Level 1, the lowest in the country's five-tier pandemic response system, paving the way for the full operation of all businesses.
The easing comes as the country sees COVID-19 cases decline from January's omicron surge and as local governments meet their targets for full vaccination, with boosters also rolling out.
"There’s a better today than yesterday. And I can only, well, say that nothing short of, not really spectacular, short of a very fulfilling, para sa akin, na we are doing fine and recovering from the, ‘yung pandemya," President Rodrigo Duterte said in his public address Monday.
MORE ON ALERT LEVEL 1:
Alert Level 1 Rules: Goodbye Contact-Tracing, Face Masks Here to Stay
Alert Level 1: Where Proof of COVID Vaccination is Required
Here's what Filipinos can expect in the coming days as virus restrictions are further eased:
Face masks, can't shake it off for now.
Face masks remain a staple even under Alert Level 1 and are not expected to disappear anytime soon.
Nearly all top government officials have highlighted the importance of keeping the face mask rule for the safe reopening of the economy with Health Sec. Francisco Duque III saying he prefers to take the "conservative" approach on the matter.
"Hindi ako naniniwala na malapit na yung panahon [na hindi na magfe-face mask] kasi lalo na at mayroon tayong mga campaign rally. Dapat pa natin lalong paigtingin ang pagsunod sa ating mga minimum public health standards," Duque said in an interview last month.
Alert Level 1 could expand to more areas.
Authorities want to see the initial implementation of Alert Level 1 in the initial 39 areas before deciding to expand it to more areas, COVID-19 vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. told President Duterte in a meeting late Monday night.
"...Mabuti pong tingnan po muna natin sa isang linggo na pag-implement po natin ng new normal na sunod-sunod na sa araw ng linggo at hanggang patuloy na maipatupad ang agresibo nating pagbabakuna," Galvez said.
Commuting, traffic nightmares are creeping back.
The Department of Transportation said it was preparing the different modes of public transport--air, maritime, road, and rail -- for the expected influx of travelers locally and internationally with the implementation of Alert Level 1 in several areas.
"Handa na ho ‘yung Department of Transportation and we support the move to lower the Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1," Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade said.
More shops are open to encourage you to spend.
Should the entire Philippines be placed under Alert Level 1 in the coming days, the country is estimated to gain P16.5 billion more per week of economic activity according to Socioeconomic Planning Sec. Karl Chua.
A nationwide easing of restrictions will also mean P5.2 billion more in salaries per week and jobs for some 297.000 unemployed Filipinos, he said.
READ: 170,000 Filipinos Likely to Find Jobs Under Alert Level 1: NEDA Chief
Today's COVID numbers, in a different format.
Department of Health spokesperson Rosario Vergeire said the government is eyeing to revise its daily COVID-19 case bulletins to weekly reports highlighting severe and critical COVID-19 cases starting March 7.
"We will be issuing a revised case bulletin kung saan mas magpu-focus na po tayo sa severe and critical cases and the utilization in our ICUs. Previously, mga case numbers po kasi ang nilalabas natin; mababago na po," she said.
You could be called back to the office.
With businesses allowed to operate at full capacity, more face-to-face operations are expected in the coming days according to Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez.
Companies are encouraged to ask workers to report on-site to boost economic activity such as dining out, shopping, and transportation.
"Mas maraming papasok sa opisina, resumption of many events that will stimulate also ‘yung spending. Kasi ‘pag lumalabas ‘yung mga tao, mas marami pang puwedeng gastusan papunta at pauwi," Lopez said.
Classroom learning will resume.
Some 6,000 schools at present are allowed to hold face-to-face classes with more expected following the de-escalation to Alert Level 1 of several areas, Education Sec. Leonor Briones said.
The Department of Education and Department of Health are expected to meet this week to review guidelines for the reopening of more schools for face-to-face classes.