Shops covered in plastic to be part of ‘new normal’

Several shops have begun placing a plastic sheet barrier between the establishment and their customers as an added precaution against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to JP Soriano's Wednesday report on 24 Oras, aside from the plastic barrier, a food shop in Quezon City is also implementing a no-touch payment policy.  Customers were instead asked to drop their payment in a plastic bowl.

Some banks, meanwhile, have also placed plastic sheets over its counters as a precaution while several sari-sari stores, bakery stores, and LPG stores in Makati have done the same.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that the public should get used to the "new normal," especially amid the uncertainty of the virus.

"'Yan ang magiging new normal para talagang may proteksyon ang ating kababayan, pati 'yung mga frontliners nu'ng tindahan na 'yun. 'Yung cashier, 'yung sales lady, hindi talaga sila ma-expose," DTI secretary Ramon Lopez.

The placing of plastic covers may be part of a minimum standard that the DTI, the Department of Health, and the Department of Labor and Employment are working on.

The Amalgamated Supermarket Association said that it will comply to the order once released.

"Make it mandatory, then, of course, we will comply. We will comply. There's nothing you can do. I mean, sila ang batas plus their doing it for our good," Association President Steven Cua said.

The DTI also urged all companies to train their employees and customers to conduct all precautions against COVID-19 and to accept the new normal. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News