Metro Manila's shift to Alert Level 2 was not a sudden decision, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a news briefing on Saturday, November 6.
Vergeire said that if the country would maintais its current mobility rate, compliance with minimum public health standards, and keep the number of days between detection to isolation at five days or less, then the country can look forward to having around 22,000 active cases by November 15. The total number of active cases as of November 5 is 37,377.
Earlier during the briefing, Philippine National Police Chief Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said that the first day of Alert Level 2 led to an increase in people out and about, due to the increase in open establishments and seating and venue capacity. "This is a truly positive news for our struggling economy considering that the region contributes more than 30% of the gross domestic product. Even more meaningfully, it will help restore jobs and incomes to our countrymen and enable them and their families to enjoy the Christmas Season," FINEX president Francis Lim said in a statement on Saturday.