Lopez: 22K workers to get back jobs as fitness centers reopen

At least 22,000 workers are expected to regain their jobs with the reopening of gyms, fitness centers, and other indoor non-contact sports facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said Friday.

DTI's Lopez made the announcement after the government allowed the reopening of fitness, and non-contact sports facilities at 30% capacity, provided they secure a Safety Seal certificate.

At Friday's Laging Handa briefing, Lopez said: “22,000 workers will be able to return to work, so this is a big help to the industry.” 

Further, he said, “The 22,000 are from 2,000 establishments on record.” 

Three days before gyms were allowed to reopen, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that 4.14 million Filipinos were unemployed in April, which is more than the 3.44 million jobless in March.

Metro Manila and nearby provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal were reverted to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from March 27 to April 12 this year, a protocol which only allows essential trips and essential businesses and services to operate.

Thereafter, NCR plus transitioned to modified ECQ, which only allows essential trips and partially allows non-essential businesses and services to operate. —LBG, GMA News