IATF allows 10% dine-in capacity; barber shops, parlors allowed at 30% in MECQ

The national government on Thursday allowed dine-in operations at restaurants at 10% capacity, while barbershops and parlors can operate at 30% capacity in modified enhanced community  (MECQ) areas.

In a statement, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the government task force approved the recommendation to allow "restaurants, eateries, commissaries, and other food preparation establishments to resume their indoor dine-in services in areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) at an initial 10% venue or seating capacity."

However, Roque said food establishments may operate beyond 10% as long as they comply with the Safety Seal Certification Program, which will ensure that an establishment is strictly following health protocols as well as customer's safety.

Also, Roque said beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas can resume operations provided that they enforce 30% venue or seating capacity in MECQ areas.

"Moreover, these establishments shall only provide services that can accommodate the wearing of face masks at all times by clients and service providers," the Palace official added.

The said body care establishments may operate beyond 30% provided that they will also follow the Safety Seal Certification Program.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier extended the MECQ in the National Capital Region and the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna or the NCR Plus bubble until May 14, 2021.

Currently, the coronavirus disease infected a total of 1,028,738 Filipinos nationwide. Of which, 17,145 were killed by the disease while 942,239 recovered.

Earlier, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  proposed that personal care services and indoor dining in MECQ areas should be reopened to help displaced workers recover from the lockdown restrictions.

DTI said over 400,000 workers in personal care establishments lost their jobs while 100,000 workers of restaurants were also unemployed due to the stricter quarantine.—LDF, GMA News