Gov't adviser hopes for increase in 10% dine-in, personal services capacity for vaccinated

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion hoped that the allowed venue capacity in dine-in and indoor personal care services catering to vaccinated customers would increase as the pilot test for the Alert Level system for COVID-19 response progresses.

On Thursday, September 17, the government implemented an Alert Level 4 in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Under Alert Level 4, outdoor or al fresco dining services in restaurants and eateries would operate at a maximum of 30% venue/seating capacity regardless of vaccination status.

On the other hand, indoor dining or dine-in services may be allowed at a limited 10% venue/seating capacity but only for individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This would be in addition to their allowed outdoor or al fresco capacity.

During state-run PTV’s Laging Handa briefing, Concepcion said that allowing 10% indoor seating capacity for “high-risk” sectors such as restaurants and personal care services was a welcome development to see if the pilot test of the Alert Level system would work.

“At least ma-practice na natin, makita ano ang mangyayari kasi wala tayong magagawa kailangan talagang buksan natin ang ekonomiya natin,” he said.

(At least we can practice, we can see what will happen because we don't have a choice. We need to open our economy.)

“This approach on granular lockdown and giving more mobility to the vaccinated, we will be able to see how we can coexist with COVID-19, especially with the Delta variant,” he added.

However, he said that 10% indoor venue capacity was still not enough for restaurants and personal care services sectors to recoup their financial losses.

“Hopefully, as we move forward this will go up to 30% and eventually 50% moving higher for the vaccinated,” Concepcion said.

However, in the government’s Alert Level system if an area shifts to a lower alert level the mobility restrictions would also relax.

In particular, under Alert Level 3, several establishments apart from restaurants and personal care services will be allowed to operate at 30% venue capacity regardless of customers’ vaccination status.

Establishments allowed to operate under Alert Level 3 include museums, libraries, internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, casinos, cockfighting, lottery, gyms, spas, leisure centers, among others.

The venue capacity for allowed business establishments will increase to 50%, regardless of customers’ vaccination status.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier said that P180 million in revenue was expected to be recovered by restaurants, salons, and barbershops which are allowed to operate under Alert Level 4, albeit at a limited capacity.

Concepcion, nevertheless, said the government had to take “baby steps” to eventually open the economy further amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The important thing is we push everyone to get vaccinated,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Concepcion said that in the Philippine General Hospital, about 85% of COVID-19 patients were unvaccinated or have only taken the first dose of vaccine.

“Definitely ‘pag marami ang bakunado na (if a lot of people have been vaccinated), we can allow people to go out, especially the vaccinated ones,” Concepcion said.

“We have to prevent the unvaccinated from getting to the hospitals,” he added.

Concepcion also hoped that the Alert Level system and granular lockdown approach would work “with the help of the mayors and leadership of the LGUs (local government units).” — DVM, GMA News