Belmonte urges QC businesses to earn, display COVID-19 safety seal

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Saturday strongly urged businesses to comply with the national government's COVID-19 Safety Seal certification program so they can apply for and display a Safety Seal in their establishments.

Belmonte signed Executive Order no. 13 s. 2021, enjoining all establishments to apply for a Safety Seal as proof of their observance of minimum public health protocols such as the use of accredited contact tracing app KyusiPass.

"We hope our businesses will take this as an opportunity to prove that they carry out the necessary measures to ensure the safety of their customers. And in turn, we expect that this will increase customer confidence and positively affect everyone's livelihood and our economy," Belmonte said.

The following businesses shall be covered by the EO: malls, wet markets, and other retail stores; restaurants, fast food, coffee shops, and other eateries; banks, pawnshops, money changers, and remittance centers; car washes, and laundry service centers.

Also under the order are art galleries, libraries, museums, and zoos; sports centers, gyms, and spas; tutorial, testing, and review centers; and cinemas and arcades.

Belmonte said businesses can apply through Quezon City's no-contact online procedure, or the inspection team could verify the eligibility of the inspected establishment for issuance of the Safety Seal.

The QC Inspection and Certification Team will be composed of authorized representatives from the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD), City Health Department (CHD), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), QC Police District (QCPD), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD), and the City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU).

Belmonte made the statement as she joined Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, and DTI undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte on Saturday during the launch of the QC Safety Seal Certification at SM City North EDSA. — DVM, GMA News