According to the IATF, there will no longer be restrictions under Alert Level 1 in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities. Everyone is also allowed to have an intrazonal and interzonal without regard to age and even comorbidities. 

All establishments, persons, or activities, are now allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards; for schools who wish to have face-to-face classes shall seek approval from the Office of the President.  

See also: From 'Poblacion Girl' to The Surge of Covid-19 Cases: Is Omicron Really the 'Beginning of the End'?

Listed below are government-imposed protocols that Filipinos must strongly adhere to under Alert Level 1 

1. Well-fitted face masks shall be worn properly at all times, whether outdoors or in indoor 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 practising outdoor sports/exercise activities where physical distance can be maintained. 
   
   
2. All private offices and workplaces, including public and private construction sites, may operate at full 100 per cent capacity, consistent with national issuances on vaccination requirements for on-site work. However, they may continue to provide flexible and alternative work arrangements as deemed appropriate based on function or individual risk.
   
   
3. Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall likewise adhere to a 100 per cent on-site workforce. Off-site work shall be under such work arrangements subject to relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the President.
   
   
4. 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 per cent.

5. All indoor dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants and eateries. For outdoor or alfresco dining and take out channels, no proof of full vaccination is required.

6. All indoor personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology and other similar procedures including home service options.

7. All indoor cinemas or movie houses may operate at full capacity.

8. Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls and theatres.

More from Tatler: Despite Omicron, Why Aren't RT-PCR Tests Free in the Philippines This 2022?

Some Filipinos can't help but hope that the soon-to-be imposed Alert Level 1 can provide a road towards the much-awaited 'New Normal' where everyone can finally get back to their pre-pandemic lives with precautionary measures to avoid the deadly COVID-19.

However, this may be hard to tell most especially today when there are still more than 50,000 active cases in the country. 

In a Rappler interview, epidemiologist Dr John Wong from public health research firm EpiMetrics disclosed that vaccination thresholds set at 80 per cent of the elderly population and at least 70 per cent for the general population are not enough to protect health systems against the weight of future surges.

“Since herd immunity is no longer possible because of breakthrough infections, the target should be 100 per cent to protect each Filipino, especially the elderly and persons with comorbidities,” he said.

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