DTI looking at allowing salons, barbershops to reopen in next 2 weeks

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now looking at the possibility of allowing salons and barbershops to reopen in the next two weeks, albeit with stricter health security measures, given that 400,000 employees of the sector have been hit by lockdown restrictions.

Speaking to reporters as he visited these establishments in a mall in Pasay City, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that the government is looking at having salons and barbershops accredited by the local government units (LGUs) for them to be allowed to reopen and continue business operations.

"Maybe in the next two weeks, 'pagka magpre-prepare sila, 'yung mga ready na, puwede tayong magkaroon ng accreditation systems," he said in a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

"Kailangan 'yung tulong ng LGUs na sila 'yung mag-a-accredit at mag-e-ensure na sinusunod 'yung patakaran natin," he elaborated.

Lopez was accompanied by officials of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) over the weekend as he inspected the business establishments to ensure that they follow strict health measures once they resume business.

Among the safety measures several salons and barbershops will employ are the use of a foot bath and a temperature check before customers are allowed to enter. They will then be given alcohol or disinfectant sprays, and will be seated one chair apart while being serviced, with plastic barriers put up on each side.

There will also be the strict single use of towels, customer capes, and gowns, with customers encouraged to book appointments and pay online.

"So ganun ho, I think 'yung intention nating lahat dito ay mabuksan na sa lalong madaling panahon, pero the safest way din," said Lopez.

The DTI also earlier released guidelines for business establishments—such as malls—to implement when they reopen.

Metro Manila is currently under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), which eased some restrictions implemented during the earlier ECQ but still places strict rules on which establishments may operate and who may visit them, in efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News