(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — Mobility restrictions in Metro Manila may be downgraded further by Christmas if COVID-19 figures continue to decline in the capital region, a health expert said on Monday.

“Kung mapagpatuloy natin ito at bumaba ang hospital utilization and other metrics, baka mas mapababa pa natin (alert level). Lalo na sa Pasko, baka maka-level 2 na tayo,” Dr. Edsel Salvaña, infectious diseases specialist and a member of the Health department’s technical advisory group, said in a virtual briefing Monday.

[Translation: If we can continue this and further lower hospital utilization and other metrics, the (alert level) may be downgraded even more. Especially at Christmas, we might be placed under level 2.]