QC malls put up outdoor dining facilities amid NCR Plus rules

Several malls in Quezon City set up open-air dining facilities to help restaurants amid the national government's rule to suspend indoor dining in areas included in the NCR Plus bubble.

In Sandra Aguinaldo's 24 Oras report on Tuesday, a mall in Quezon City closed a portion of its driveway to establish an "al fresco" dining area where customers can eat their take-out meals.

Another mall in Quezon City also removed tables at its food court to follow the new restrictions.

Mall owners also said they relied on delivery apps as a way to support restaurants while dine-in restrictions remained in effect.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, who tested positive for COVID-19, said malls were aware of the economic impact the ban on indoor dining had, which prompted them to set up open air facilities to help restaurants.

"Malaki ang impact sa kanila na isara yung indoor [dining] but nevertheless, they are willing to cooperate," said Lopez.

(The ban on indoor dining had a major effect on them, nevertheless they are willing to cooperate.)

To halt the sudden spike of fresh COVID-19 cases, the national government announced non-essential travel restrictions into and out of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

As of Tuesday, the Philippines logged 677,653 total COVID-19 cases with 578,461 recoveries and 12,992 deaths. — Consuelo Marquez/DVM, GMA News