The government yesterday unexpectedly announced a lowering of Metro Manila’s covid alert level from 3 to 2, which would allow close contact services to operate at 50% capacity (from 30%). This came alongside an increase in the allowable ridership for public transportation to 70% of capacity (from 50%) and the lifting of curfew in the metropolis to enable malls to stay open longer. As we noted in our brief last week, activity has recently picked up with the removal of mobility restrictions on younger cohorts and reminders of pre-pandemic traffic congestion have started.
With vaccination of minors beginning as well, businesses are gearing up for government’s promised “better Christmas.” Nevertheless, two data releases this week serve as prompts for us to manage our expectations.
Now read on...
Register to sample a report