Biz sector called for NCR shift to alert level 3 in Q4 –Concepcion

The private sector has appealed that the National Capital Region (NCR) be placed under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 in the fourth quarter of 2021, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said Wednesday.

At a meeting with medical groups, Concepcion said that private sector representatives are calling for a slide to Alert Level 3 status in the last quarter of the year,  so they can take advantage of Christmas  season consumer spending. 

“Lahat ng mga [group] katulad ng restaurants, spa, salons, gyms [in Metro Manila] ay humingi na sana dapat ipalagay na natin sa level 3 pagpasok natin sa fourth quarter,” the presidential adviser said.

(Businesses such as restaurants, spas, salons, gyms appealed for a more relaxed level 3 quarantine status in the fourth quarter.)

Currently, Metro Manila is under COVID-19 Alert Level 4.

Under this quarantine classification, outdoor or al fresco dining services in restaurants and eateries only operate at a maximum of 30% venue or seating capacity regardless of vaccination status.

On the other hand, indoor dining or dine-in services may be allowed at a limited 10% seating capacity but will cater only to individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in addition to a restaurant's allowed outdoor or al fresco capacity.

Also, the same venue limitations apply to personal care services such as salons and barbershops under Alert Level 4.

Under the government’s COVID-19 alert system, a shift to a lower level has a corresponding relaxation of mobility restrictions.

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.

“Alam mo naman, sa fourth quarter pwede na mabawi ng mga negosyante ang mga lugi nila dahil tataas dito ang consumer spending dahil sa Christmas [season],” Concepcion said.

(In the fourth quarter, businesses can likely recoup their losses because consumer spending will increase during the Christmas season.)

“Importante itong quarter na ito kaya sana ipalagay, ibaba sa Level 3” (This quarter is crucial, that's why the private sector is appealing to the government the lowering of the COVID-19 alert  status to Level 3), he added.  —LBG, GMA News