DTI: Businesses see return of 80% of pre-pandemic customers

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Friday that there was yet no need to further ease the COVID-19 Alert Level 2 as businesses saw the return of 80% of their pre-pandemic customers.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez made the response when asked about the proposal to reduce required distancing in establishments from one meter to .75 meters.

"That [reduction to .75 meters] is the request we got, and we are considering it especially for dining establishments, but for other establishments, we are open to such a proposal [of slightly reduced distance] since it will also increase the operating capacity of the retail stores," Lopez said during the Laging Handa briefing.

"But for retail stores, they do not have big complaints. The reports we are getting is that they already got 80% of the customers pre-pandemic back, and with Christmas coming, that is even expected to increase and that could even hit 100%. Hindi na natin kailangan pumunta sa Alert Level 1 kasi halos lahat ng sektor ay bukas na (We need not ease to Alert Level 1 anymore since most of the businesses have reopened)," Lopez added.

The government placed the entire country under Alert Level 2 until December 15, the same day that the Health Department confirmed two cases of Omicron variant, which is more transmissible than Delta variant, even though most recorded cases have been mild so far.

Lopez, however, expressed confidence that the Alert Level 2 will hold up against the Omicron variant.

"We are able to bring back the market with minors being allowed to go out accompanied by guardians, and the Alert Level 2 is there so our mindset remains that we should still be extremely cautious. We do not need to transition to Alert Level 1," Lopez said.

"The business velocity is getting back on its feet," Lopez added.

The Philippines has 42 million individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 so far, with Metro Manila having the highest vaccine coverage at over 93%. — DVM, GMA News