Metro Manila – With the easing of quarantine restrictions and the granting of interzonal and intrazonal movement, Metro Manila, along with most areas in the Philippines, is placed under Alert Level 2 starting 2 November 2021 until 30 November 2021. Under the said alert level, establishments are allowed to operate at higher capacities from 50% to 70% depending on the type of establishment.

A COVID-19 alert level system is now being implemented nationwide in lieu of the quarantine classifications. Starting 22 November of this year, the system replaces the old system of quarantine classifications which comprised the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified ECQ, general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ.

With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) adopted different health and safety measures to curb the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. These measures were instituted by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) through Resolutions to prevent the sharp rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. The CSC Memorandum Circular on Alternative Work Arrangements was also adopted for workers in the government during the period of State of National Emergency due to COVID-19 pandemic.

At the start of the vaccination roll-out, several employees have availed the vaccination services from their respective Local Government Units (LGUs) and offices that offer COVID-19 vaccination. A total of 183 personnel were already fully vaccinated (both first and second doses) garnering an 89.27% vaccination rate as of October 31, 2021. Including personnel who are partially vaccinated, NCMB has a 92.20% vaccination rate.

At NCMB, the incidence rate of COVID cases is recorded at 18.01% or a total of 47 employees who tested positive for COVID 19. Last active case was last 15 October 2021 and as of this writing, NO ACTIVE COVID-19 CASE has been reported.
While COVID-19 infection has not been fully eradicated, the Board continues to comply with strict health and safety protocols which include wearing of face masks, observing physical distancing, and implementing alternative modes of conducting case conferences such as online conferences or hybrid conferences. These are all in line with the efforts of the Board’s management to maintain an NCMB COVID-free environment.

END/ianne r. go