MANILA, Philippines —Six areas will be placed under a stricter Alert Level 3 starting Friday, Jan. 28, Malacañang announced Thursday.

These areas are:
-Palawan
-Camiguin
-Davao Occidental
-Dinagat Islands
-Tawi-Tawi
-Sulu

The Inter-Agency Task Force approved the escalation of the alert levels over those areas for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in a meeting on Thursday, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said.

The alert level classification will last until Feb. 15, he added.

An escalation of an alert level over an area signifies a spike in COVID-19 infections in the locality, hence the need for stricter measures.

Under IATF guidelines on Alert Level 3, intrazonal and interzonal travel are subject to “reasonable restrictions” that may be imposed by local government units.

Individuals aged 18 below and those belonging to the vulnerable population are likewise permitted access and travel to procure and avail essential goods and services and for work.