Non-essential businesses to open on gradual basis under modified ECQ —DTI chief

Operations of non-essential businesses that were initially prohibited will be allowed to open under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) but on a gradual basis, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Wednesday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Lopez said President Rodrigo Duterte wants to open the operations of these industries while still strictly observing health protocols.

“Mag-allow na rin tayo ng ilan pang naiwan na mga sarado na mga business operations at unti-unti na sila mabuksan kaya meron kami ngayong nilista na proposed na at least to allow partial operation,” he said.

Among the initially prohibited business operations under ECQ that Lopez said the government wants to partially open under MECQ are the manufacturing and processing industries.

Lopez said these businesses will be allowed to resume 50% of its operations. Employees will have to undergo tests, which should be shouldered by their health insurance policies, before returning to work.

On Tuesday, the government announced that some ECQ areas will shift to general community quarantine with relaxed restrictions in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat after May 15.

But in the National Capital Region, Laguna, and Cebu City, the MECQ will be observed until the end of the month. --Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News