A MEMBER of the Department of Health (DOH) – Technical Advisory Group (TAG) yesterday rejected the proposed removal of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) alert level system, saying it is still too soon to lift restrictions amid the continued spread of the virus.
In a televised public briefing, DOH-TAG member Dr. Edsel Salvana said the alert level system should not yet be taken out despite the improving situation in the country.
“I think it is not yet timely to remove the alert level system because we still need to see the continued decline in cases, and because many provinces still have low level in vaccine coverage,” said Salvana.
Another reason, he said, is because of the sheer unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salvana cited as a proof the emergence of the different COVID-19 variants.
“The World Health Organization has already said that the end of the pandemic is still far.
We are still expecting that there might be other, newer variants that will emerge,” he said.
For now, the infectious disease expert said the country will have to continue the alert level system and follow directives controlling the mobility of people and the operation of business establishments.
At best, Salvana said the country can be placed at the lowest level of Alert Level 1.
“We still need a calibrated response in the event of a resurgence in cases. We must do this gradually,” said Salvana.
Earlier, presidential adviser on entrepreneurship Jose Maria Concepcion said he believes that the Philippines will be ready to live without the COVID-19 alert level system by March or April.
