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The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has finally allowed the reopening of gyms, internet cafes, and other businesses beginning August 1, as proposed by the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI).

Gyms are among the businesses allowed to reopen on August 1 | Source: Pexels

These are the businesses allowed to resume operations starting August 1:

1. Gyms
2. Fitness centers and sports facilities
3. Internet cafes
4. Personal grooming and aesthetic services
5. Pet Grooming
6. Tutorial centers
7. Review centers

The announcement came from DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, who reiterated that these establishments will be allowed to reopen even in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ), given that they will only be operating within their 30% capacity.

Temperature checks, wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing will still be mandatory.

However, those who will be working out may temporarily remove their mask.

Group exercises such as Zumba are still not allowed to avoid crowding in gyms or fitness centers.

For testing or review centers, not more than 10 persons should be allowed in one room. And as for internet cafes, only activities that have educational purposes should be permitted.

Drive-in cinemas, such as the one opening in Pampanga soon, are also allowed to operate in GCQ areas.

And as for personal grooming services, only those related to hair, nail, and skin care are permissible.

Category 4 businesses such as body massage services will only be permitted in areas under the modified GCQ (MGCQ).

Other examples of Category 4 industries are the following:

1. Tattoo and body piercing
2. Live events
3. Entertainment industries
4. Libraries
5. Archives
6. Museums and cultural centers
7. Tourist destinations
8. Schools for language, driving, dance, activating, and voice

DTI Secretary Lopez also emphasized that restaurants may already include alcoholic beverages in their menu, but only two bottles should be sold per person.

While the IATF maintains that cockfighting establishments, beer houses, and amusement centers are still prohibited from resuming operations.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce new community quarantine classifications on Thursday, July 30.

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1110460?fbclid=IwAR2Inz1j_Pa0B7qxs7UccoFxFJlDTLwJv2dYNXQ_n5mU7RdIJLjExaF3a6g

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