ALL the while, many of us thought that we've regained our freedom to move around. But the surge in Covid-19 infections on the eve of the new year indicates that it ain't so.

Initially, the government has had to raise the alert level in Metro Manila, starting January 3, as the health department reported rapidly rising Covid-19 cases in the region. We can expect more areas to be placed under higher mobility restrictions as families and friends took advantage of the temporary freedom to move around during the Christmas season and went out of town or had parties and reunions after almost two years of being confined at home.