After months of relaxed alert levels in place, fears about a resurgence of COVID-19 cases seem to be coming true. The BA.2.12 Omicron subvariant has already entered the Philippines through a fully vaccinated 52-year-old woman from Finland who did not undergo quarantine upon arrival on April 2 because she initially did not show symptoms, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Quarantine exemption for fully inoculated and asymptomatic travelers is part of the government’s easing of protocols in an effort to fully reopen the economy.

The independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research has warned that another surge in COVID-19 infections may happen as early as after the May 9 elections due to the new Omicron subvariants and the massive crowds that campaign rallies have mobilized in the past weeks.