Gov't seeks to allow reopening gyms under alert level system —DTI chief

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Sunday said they are seeking to open gyms again under the implementation of alert level systems.

Metro Manila is currently under Alert Level 4 starting September 16 until September 30. Under this alert level system, it only allows restaurants and salons at limited capacity. 

Lopez, meanwhile, revealed that they are proposing to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to allow reopening of gyms at 10% capacity.

"'Yung susunod po nating ipapa-allow, dahil sa prinsipyo ng exercise, ay 'yung gym. Pinag-iisapan 'yan. 'Yung exercise kasi nakakataas ng immunity," said Lopez on Dobol B TV.

(We will also ask to allow the reopening of gyms because of the principle of exercise. We are thinking about this. Exercise helps increase immunity.)

He added that they may also require gyms to put up air purifiers. 

Face shields

As for wearing of face shields, Lopez said the guidelines were already completed but will be released "as soon as possible."

"Kung hindi ngayon baka bukas baka i-announce na iyon (If not today, the guidelines may be released tomorrow)," Lopez said.

Despite President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement of relaxing the face shields policy, the IATF has yet to publish its guidelines on wearing the face shields. 

Duterte said face shields will only be worn in areas that are closed, crowded, and for close contact.

A wind engineer previously warned that face shields may be a factor in increasing exposure to coronavirus disease because  particles of the virus are known to stay in the surrounding air.

Vice President Leni Robredo and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno have also questioned the requirement and purchase of wearing face shields, adding that it should not be the priority amid the pandemic. —KG, GMA News