Safety Seal required only for gyms —DTI's Lopez

As the government allowed more businesses to reopen under a more relaxed general community quarantine, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Saturday said that only gyms and related establishments are required to secure Safety Seal Certification before resuming their operations.

In an interview on "Dobol B TV," Lopez said those that were earlier allowed to reopen are not mandated to secure Safety Seal Certification from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Earlier, the government allowed indoor non-contact sports venues such as gyms, fitness studios, skating rinks, and racket sport courts to resume operation in the NCR Plus area at 30% venue capacity, provided they secure a Safety Seal Certification. 

“Sa gym lang ni-require ang Safety Seal (Only gyms are required to get Safety Seal),” Lopez pointed out.

“Pero… hindi mandatory sa ibang negosyo (But… it’s not mandatory for other businesses),” he added.

However, he said other establishments that will secure a Safety Seal will be incentivized with an additional 10% venue capacity.

“Kunwari restaurant 30%, pwede mag 40% ‘pag may Safety Seal (For example a restaurant allowed at 30% capacity, it can operate at 40% if with Safety Seal),” the Trade chief said.

According to the DTI, business establishments that can apply for Safety Seal certification include 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. —LBG, GMA News