Davao City stricter while on Alert Level 3

Alert Level 3 refers to areas wherein case counts are high and/or increasing, with total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate at increasing utilization. 

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the spokesman of the city’s COVID-19 Task Force told the City Information Office (CIO) that the city will implement restrictions on the mobility of the senior citizen, persons with comorbidity, and those below 18 years old and can only go out for “essential” purposes.

Schlosser said interzonal travel is okay but the local government unit (LGU) has the right to restrict it during Alert Level 3. 

“We are restricting 18 and below and people belonging to the vulnerable sector such as senior citizens, persons with comorbidities from going out if not essential,” she said.

Schlosser defines essentials as those for health, for food, and other commodities.

She added that the LGUs will also set separate guidelines for the operational capacity of establishments apart from what is provided in the IATF. 

Establishments were earlier given the green light to increase additional capacity for indoor and outdoor and are entitled to an additional 20 percent capacity after the city hit the 100 percent target of vaccination for A2 and A3.

Schlosser recalled that one of the requirements of the IATF for establishments to increase operational capacity is a 100 percent vaccination for A-2 and A-3. They were allowed to have a 50 percent operational capacity for indoor and 70 percent for outdoor.

However, all establishments are required to continue following the Minimum Public Health Standards and exercise discretion when taking unvaccinated persons in places where people gather especially indoors.

For Special Events and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), establishments are advised to get Acknowledgement Form or Special Mayor’s Permit. 

Activities still not allowed are Live Performances, Karaoke/Videoke Bars, Venues for Live Entertainment, Kid Amusement Places, Casinos, Cockfighting, Horse-racing, Pageants, Cultural/Fashion Shows, Tournaments, Political Gatherings, etc. 

The City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) earlier appealed for cooperation in having your Safe Davao QRs scanned when entering/exiting establishments.

The CTOO, meanwhile, announced that the city will only accept vaccinated persons traveling through the land, sea, and air into and out of the National Capital Region (NCR).

The said policy  complies with the Department of Transportation Order 2022-001, “Limiting Public Transportation Access to Vaccinated Population In the National Capital Region Under Alert Level 3 or Higher.”

“With this, public transportation by air, land, and sea will be allowing only fully vaccinated persons into and out of NCR. Proof of vaccination will have to be presented upon buying tickets or checking in. We are waiting for advice for the implementation of the same DO (Department Order),” the DoTr statement said.

Davao City has not imposed any restrictions or requirements for travelers by Air, Land, and Sea, however it will adhere to IATF and its attached agencies' guidelines and protocols.