Barber shops, film, TV shooting allowed to resume operations in GCQ areas

Operations of barber shops and salons as well as shooting scenes for film and television productions may soon resume in areas placed by the government under a general community quarantine amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting May 1, areas in the country with low and moderate risk of outbreak will be under GCQ while strict confinement measures will remain in localities under the enhanced community quarantine until May 15.

Among the sectors allowed to operate during GCQ are barber shops, salons, spas and other personal care industries subject to “strict health standards,” construction, Build, Build, Build activities, as well as motion picture, video and television program production, sound recording and music publishing activities, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday.

Malls and commercial centers including hardware stores, clothing and accessories and non-leisure stores and frontline offices of government were also allowed to resume in GCQ areas.

For areas under ECQ, the following sectors were permitted to operate:

• dental and EENT clinics (with strict health standards)
• delivery services, whether or not e-commerce platform, in-house or outsourced, for products such as clothing and accessories and office supplies
• repair and installation of machinery and equipment
• repair of computers and personal and household goods
• laundry shops (including self-service)

These sectors and activities remain prohibited during ECQ and GCQ:

• mass gatherings
• gyms/fitness studios and sports facilities
• libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities
• travel agency, tour operator, reservation service and related activities
• gambling and betting activities
• activities of membership organizations

--KBK, GMA News