Life in the New Normal: What You Need to Know About Alert Level 1

Metro Manila will be placed under Alert Level 1, the lowest set of COVID restrictions, until March 15, the first time in two years of the pandemic that millions in the capital region will test the "new normal."

This means that capacity limits on restaurants, shops and public transport will be lifted and at the minimum, people will be required to wear face masks and observe hand hygiene.

READ: How to Take Care of a COVID Patient at Home

The Metro Manila council of mayors unanimously recommended the shift to Alert Level 1, which could be a cause of concern according to the interior department as campaigns for the May 9 national elections are in full swing.

Before Alert Level 1, the Philippines endured one of the world's longest lockdowns called ECQ or Enhanced Community Quarantine, sinking the economy into its worst recession since World War II.

Here are the alert-based restrictions starting March 1 to 15:

Alert Level 1

• Metro Manila
• Abra
• Apayao
• Baguio City
• Kalinga
• Dagupan City
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Batanes
• Cagayan
• City of Santiago
• Isabela
• Quirino
• Angeles City
• Aurora
• Bataan
• Bulacan
• Olongapo City
• Pampanga
• Tarlac
• Cavite
• Laguna
• Marinduque
• Puerto Princesa City
• Romblon
• Naga City
• Catanduanes
• Aklan
• Bacolod City
• Capiz
• Guimaras
• Siquijor
• Biliran
• Zamboanga City
• Cagayan de Oro City
• Camiguin
• Davao City

Alert Level 2

• Benguet
• Ifugao
• Mountain Province
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Nueva Ecija
• Zambales
• Batangas
• Lucena City
• Quezon Province
• Rizal
• Occidental Mindoro
• Oriental Mindoro
• Palawan
• Albay
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Masbate
• Sorsogon
• Antique
• Iloilo City
• Iloilo Province
• Negros Occidental
• Bohol
• Cebu Province
• Cebu City
• Lapu-Lapu City
• Mandaue City
• Negros Oriental
• Eastern Samar
• Leyte
• Northern Samar
• Ormoc City
• Southern Leyte
• Tacloban City
• Western Samar
• City of Isabela
• Zamboanga del Sur
• Zamboanga del Norte
• Zamboanga Sibugay
• Bukidnon
• Iligan City
• Lanao del Norte
• Misamis Occidental
• Misamis Oriental
• Davao De Oro
• Davao Del Sur
• Davao Del Norte
• Davao Oriental
• Davao Occidental
• General Santos City
• North Cotabato
• Sarangani
• South Cotabato
• Sultan Kudarat
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• Butuan City
• Dinagat Islands
• Basilan
• Maguindanao
• Sulu
• Tawi-Tawi
• Cotabato City
• Lanao Del Sur

What you need to know about Alert Level 1

Children, seniors , pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems will be allowed to go out of their homes under Alert Level 1.

While face masks are still be required to be worn, face shields will remain optional. Employers can also require their employees and customers to wear face shields at the workplace.

READ: How to Effectively Disinfect Your Home After Recovering from COVID-19

The following activities, services, and establishments can operate at full on-site capacity under Alert Level 1:

1. Face-to-face classes
2. Outdoor exercises
3. Dine-in services
4. Personal care services
5. Gym and fitness studios
6. Weddings, debuts, birthday parties, family reunions, baby showers and other social events
7. Wakes, necrological services, inurnment, funerals
8. In-person religious gatherings
9. Gathering of individuals not belonging to the same household inside a house
10. Staycations
11. Cinemas
12. On-site work for government employees

This story originally appeared on Reportr.world.

* Minor edits have been made by the Realliving.com.ph editors.