Restaurants, salons prepare for reopening under Alert Level 4

Some workers in restaurants and salons are busy preparing to reopen again even though they could accommodate only at limited number of clients under the newly enforced COVID-19 alert level system.

According to Maki Pulido's "24 Oras" report, Metro Manila will be under Alert Level 4 starting Thursday, Sept. 16, which means there is still an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections and high utilization rate of ICU beds.

Under this system, however, the government has allowed 10% capacity for dine-in services for vaccinated people while al fresco services are allowed for 30% capacity regardless of vaccine status.

Restaurant owner Jeff Bungcayao is preparing ingredients for the dishes they will serve their customers.

"Sayang naman kung di maibigay yung orders nila (It will be a waste if we are not able to give their orders.)" he said.

Some restaurants that do not have al fresco services, may not reopen on Thursday.

Meanwhile, since there is also limited capacity for personal care services, salons will have to limit the number of employees who will report for work.

Under Alert Level 4, personal care services limited to barbershops, hair spas, nail spas, and beauty salons will be allowed at a maximum of 30% venue/seating capacity if such services are conducted outdoors regardless of vaccination status.

Sergio Oritz-Luis  of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, however, thumbed down the new COVID-19 alert system saying that it will not be effective.

"Matagal na naming sinasabi dapat dagdagan n'yo ang kwarto, dagdagan n'yo ang mga facilities, dagdagan n'yo yung mga gamot saka mga gamit at asikasuhin n'yo yung mga frontliner... eh di gagalaw ang Metro Manila," he said.

(We keep on pressing the government to add more rooms, add more facilities, add more medicine and equipment and support frontliners... Metro Manila will not improve.)

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, 1.2 million workers became unemployed due to closures of businesses. But only  200,000 workers will be able return to their jobs under the Alert level 4 status in the metropolis. -- Consuelo Marquez/BAP, GMA News