DTI reports low compliance on ‘no talking, no eating’ policy in closed spaces

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday recorded low compliance on policy for no talking and eating in confined spaces like shuttles and establishments.

Out of the 25,274 establishments monitored by the DTI from June 2020 to April 2021, only 42% to 82% were compliant to the said COVID-19 health protocol.

"'Yung no talking and eating in shuttle buses, service and confined areas, dito mababa at kailangan paigtingin ang compliance dito. 'Yung pagsasama sa kainan, sa pantry, at dapat ipinagbawal na ho ngayon yan, ang ideal ay kanya-kanya," Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said during the President's Talk to the Nation about COVID-19 pandemic efforts.

(The compliance on the directive on no talking and eating on shuttle buses is low. We need to improve this. Those gathering in pantry and eateries, should be prohibited. Ideally, there should be distancing.)

Lopez also cited low compliance of establishments in immediately isolating symptomatic or positive individuals for the coronavirus disease. Only 56% to 100% of businesses were compliant with this directive, based on his presentation.

"At yung positive and symptomatic, kailangan mag isolate sila. Dito mababa rin ho yung range natin dito, 56 %. Hindi nahahabol ang positive so dito dapat palakasin ang contact tracing na ngayon pinalakas dahil may digital tool na tayo for contact tracing," the DTI chief said.

(For positive and symptomatic, we need to isolate them. The range here is also low, 56%  complied. We need to improve our contact tracing which is now enhanced through digital tools.)

Based on Lopez's presentation, 96% to 100% establishments were compliant with the government's operation capacity.

"Maganda ho ang compliance kapag sinabing 50%, 50% ang operation, sumusunod sila. Pag sinabing 30%, 30% operational," Lopez said.

Establishments complying with wearing of face masks rule is at 88% to 100%. For wearing of face shields, 73% to 91% are compliant.

Meanwhile, 83% to 100% of the total establishments are following adequate ventilation.

Establishments following frequent and proper decontamination of their business areas are 71% to 100%.

Also, 88% to 100% of businesses in the country followed proper physical distancing.

Lopez said the Department of Health, local government units, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of the Interior and Local Government also helped in monitoring the compliance of workplaces, businesses and other establishments for COVID-19 health protocols.

The DTI previously revealed that 94.7% of business firms and establishments in Metro Manila are following health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. —LDF, GMA News