MANILA — More provinces and cities in the country will be under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 from January 9 to 15, government said on Thursday, as it sought to limit increasing coronavirus infections.

Cabinet Secretary and acting Palace spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the following areas will be under Alert Level 3:

• Baguio City
• City of Dagupan
• City of Santiago
• Cagayan Province
• Angeles City
• Pampanga Province
• Olongapo City
• Bataan Province
• Zambales Province
• Batangas Province
• Lucena City
• Naga City
• Iloilo City
• Lapu-Lapu City

Authorities earlier placed Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under this alert level. Metro Manila and Bulacan also returned under Level 3 earlier this week.

Under the alert level, face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs, and casinos are banned.

Cinemas are allowed to operate at 30-percent indoor capacity and 50-percent outdoor capacity.

The following are allowed at 30-percent indoor capacity but only for fully vaccinated individuals, authorities earlier said.

• Amusement parks
• Recreational venues
• Religious gatherings
• Licensure exams
• Dine-in services
• Personal care services
• Fitness studios, non-contact sports
• Film, music, TV production

The Philippines on Thursday reported 17,220 new coronavirus infections and its highest ever COVID-19 positivity rate at 36.9 percent.

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