COVID-19 PANDEMIC

600 establishments awaiting Safety Seal certificate —DTI chief Lopez

Some 600 business establishments are awaiting issuance of a Safety Seal certificate by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) so they can resume operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said Friday.

Safety Seal is issued to establishments that are deemed compliant with the minimum public health standards needed to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

“Over 150 establishments have been approved [for Safety Seal certificate], and  there are 600 pending for inspection. The process is ongoing as we speak,” Lopez said during the Laging Handa briefing.

Lopez said businesses can chart their way to securing a Safety Seal by conducting self-assessment using a Safety Seal microsite.

“If they feel that they are compliant after such self-assessment, they they can now seek inspection [from the DTI],” he said.

“Around 100 establishments were disapproved, but it does not mean that they cannot secure Safety Seal certificate anymore. They just have to comply with the standards,” Lopez added.

Under Joint Memorandum Circular 21-01 Series 2021 signed by the DTI, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government , and the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Safety Seal shall apply to all private business establishments, selected public places, and government offices.

The seal shall be displayed on strategic spots at all entrance points according to prescribed dimensions and can be obtained at no cost to the establishment.

According to the DTI, business establishments that can apply for Safety Seal certification are groceries, supermarkets, membership shopping clubs, convenience stores, construction supply or hardware stores, outlets of logistics service providers, barbershops and salons, and service and repair shops.

Metro Manila and the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal are still under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until June 15, a policy that does not allow businesses to operate beyond 30% capacity. —KBK, GMA News