WHO advises against easing NCR mobility restrictions

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against easing mobility restrictions in the National Capital Region (NCR) despite a significant portion of its population being fully vaccinated.

WHO country representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe stated that while approximately 60.5% of the NCR's target population is fully vaccinated, this level is not yet sufficient to relax quarantine measures.

Abeyasinghe cautioned that further relaxation of restrictions could lead to a worsening of COVID-19 transmission, potentially overwhelming the healthcare system.

He emphasized the need for careful calibration in responding to the current situation to prevent the healthcare system from being overburdened.

The WHO official also cited the growing concern over the highly transmissible Delta variant as a reason to maintain restrictions.

The NCR is set to implement the new alert level system starting Thursday, initially under Alert Level 4.