* Based on CDC's numbers in recent days, the outbreak has seemingly been on the decline. The confirmed COVID-19 cases have remained in the 50-80 range since Monday. These are encouraging signs, and some municipalities have taken steps to gradually relax restrictions on business and commercial activities.
* A few selected night markets have been given the green light to experiment with a "soft" reopening. While masks are still mandatory, the gathering of crowds not larger than 100 seemed to have been relaxed. While many of the street vendors welcome the relaxed measures, others remain cautious and rather wait until the alert level drops to 2 and herd immunity is achieved through vaccination.
* After the lifting of current level-three restrictions, it will probably take a few more months before commercial activities are back to the pre-outbreak levels. The cumulative impact on the island's economy, however, could be considerable. More importantly, the adverse economic effects may spillover into the next election expected in November 2022. More fiscal stimuli maybe forthcoming.
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