BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental’s exit plan for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now in place, according to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.
All offices, work schedules and new formats in conducting training and seminars have been prepared, he said as he noted the drop in COVID-19 infections in the province.
Diaz also said conditions are becoming favorable for the staging of Panaad sa Negros Festival this year after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He hastened to added, however, that there is not enough time to prepare for such a big event.
“(But) I think we can already say nga ara na ang signs,” Diaz said.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is looking forward to the province slipping down to Alert Level 1 or the “new normal” status by March 16, added Diaz.
Under Alert Level 1, movement of persons regardless of age (with restrictions on crowded and closed spaces and close contact settings) and full capacity in private establishments and government agencies are allowed, subject to minimum health protocols.
According to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), well-fitted face masks must still be worn at all times, whether outdoors or indoors in private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea, except when eating and drinking; participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained; and practicing outdoor sports/exercise activities where physical distance can be maintained.
Public transportation in areas under Alert Level 1 shall be at full seating capacity. For intrazonal and interzonal travels involving public land transportation between an area with a higher alert level classification and an area under Alert Level 1, the passenger capacity shall be that which has the lower passenger capacity rate between the point of origin and point of destination.
For aviation, maritime, and rail public transport operating in and out of Alert Levels 1 areas, the passenger capacity will be at 100 percent.
The use of the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) travel management system shall not be required for interzonal travel to areas under Alert Level 1.
On contact tracing, the use of health declaration forms or paper-based contact tracing shall not be required for all agencies and establishments under Alert Level 1.
On the other hand, the use of digital contact tracing such as the StaySafe.PH application is optional.
On testing prioritization, protocols shall be implemented consistent with national guidelines for individuals who are unvaccinated or have higher exposure risk like those above 60 years old, with comorbidities, and health care workers. Testing shall be optional for other groups.
Antigen tests shall be recommended only for symptomatic individuals and in instances wherein reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction is not available.
The Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Committees may implement testing protocols in health facilities for health workers and patients based on their assessment of risk and benefit.
On isolation and quarantine, establishments are no longer required to set up isolation facilities within the workplace.
For the purpose of claiming sick leave, health benefits or other relevant processes wherein the proofs of COVID-19 management are necessary, a medical certification may suffice provided it should include the following minimum information: name of patient, severity of symptoms, diagnosis as probable or confirmed COVID-19, and date of end of quarantine and/or isolation period.
Individuals 18 years old and above will be required to present proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings or entry into indoor establishments, such as but not limited to churches, restaurants, fitness studios and gyms, indoor cinemas, meetings and exhibition venues, wedding receptions, birthday parties, hotels and other accommodation establishments, and venues for election-related events.
Proof of full vaccination shall also be required for those aged at least 18 years before entry in establishments identified under the principles of the 3Cs strategy against COVID-19: confined spaces with poor ventilation; crowded places with no physical distancing; and close-contact settings with face-to-face interaction. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
