THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is looking forward to expanding the operating capacity of establishments next month as fewer businesses have remained closed amid easing of lockdown protocols.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said at a virtual event on Wednesday that the National Capital Region (NCR)—along with Laguna, Bulacan, Rizal and Cavite—is likely to remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) even after May 31.
“We can continue with the GCQ starting June,” he said, noting that the number of Covid-19 cases has slowed down. Official announcements have yet to be made.
“Inaasahan din natin na…dadagdagan ang mga operating capacity moving forward dahil sa magandang numero [We are also expecting that operating capacity will be expanded moving forward because of the good numbers],” Lopez said.
He said transitioning to GCQ allowed the economy to allow more business activities while implementing the safety protocols. This is why non-essential activities are still discouraged to avoid Covid-19 surge anew, Lopez said.
The trade chief explained that fewer establishments have remained closed in the pandemic with the easing of the mobility restrictions.
Currently, about 8 percent are not operating, Lopez said. This is lower compared to when 16 percent halted business activities around March and April during the enhanced community quarantine, he added.
“Marami pa uling makakapagbukas na negosyo [More businesses will reopen] moving forward to June,” the DTI official said.
To reopen the economy, Lopez encouraged the economic frontliners to get vaccinated.
He said the DTI is “trying to expand also the definition of A4” in the priority list for vaccination. It covers frontline personnel in essential sectors, including uniformed personnel.
The trade chief wants to include those employees who use public transportation going to their workplace, as they have high exposure to Covid-19.
He said there should also be a focus on NCR Plus when it comes to vaccination because of the big population and contribution in terms of economic activities.
Based on the DTI Memorandum Circular 21-19, restaurants in NCR Plus under GCQ will be allowed to have 20-percent capacity for indoor dine-in services and 50-percent capacity for outdoor dining.
Personal care services, including beauty salons, barbershops, medical aesthetic clinics, nail spa and other similar establishments, may accommodate up to 30 percent of their capacity.
At 10-percent seating capacity, limited social events at accredited establishments of the Department of Tourism (DOT) will be allowed under GCQ. These events should be “only ceremonial proceedings consistent with the rules on religious gatherings shall be conducted, subject to the applicable DOT/DTI guidelines,” the circular reads.
With strict adherence to minimum health protocols, outdoor tourist attractions may also operate at 30 percent.
Meanwhile, the order still prohibits venues for meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition (MICE), indoor sports venues and indoor tourist attractions under GCQ.