MANILA – DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez has a difficult balancing act to make. While he is pressured to open up businesses in an attempt to bounce back the economy to its pre-pandemic status, he has to ensure that by doing so, people are protected from further transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
During a TV-radio interview aired over DZBB, Sunday, Sec. Lopez was planning to recommend the opening of dine-in services in restaurants in Metro Manila when it would be classified under general community quarantine (GCQ). “We are trying to find ways for them to follow health measures sa ilalim ng GCQ upang makaumpisa na rin sila para makabawi,” (We are trying to find ways for them to follow health measures under the GCQ so that they can already start and recover), he said.
He said the new business model of take-out delivery constitutes only about 30 percent while 70 percent of the revenue still comes from dine-in customers. “Kulang pa yong revenue sa new business model kaya kung sa GCQ na, dapat ibalik natin ang dine-in from 70 to 94 percent ng negosyo,” (The revenue from the new model is not enough so during GCQ we need to bring back the dine-in services from 70 to 94 percent of the business), Sec. Lopez further said.
During the senate session last week, Senator Cynthia Villar insinuated to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Disease to slowly open up businesses to avoid impending closures. “Hindi natin hayaang mas marami ang magsara,” (Let’s not wait that more of them to close), Villar said.
Secretary Lopez further said that birthday bashes and buffet parties are not yet allowed under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) but may be relaxed during the GCQ when 50-90 percent of customers are allowed to dine outside their homes.
“Delikado pa talaga ang buffet parties. Sa mga restaurants, importante sa mga food crews ang daily temperature scanning, magsuot ng facemasks, gloves at physical distancing. They also have to always change table covers, disposable napkins at mag-disinfect ng kanilang silya,” (It is still dangerous to hold buffet parties. It is important for restaurants that their crew will have daily temperature scanning, wearing of facemasks, gloves and maintaining physical distancing. They also have to change table covers, disposable napkins, and disinfect their chairs), he said.
Sec. Lopez also said that DTI is studying the proposals they received about new restaurant setup to increase the allowed capacity of restaurants, and improve proper air circulation, while ensuring the compliance of safety protocols of the AITF and the DOH.
