Barbershops and salons may resume their operations in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) starting June 7, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez announced Saturday.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the opening of barbershops and salons in an earlier phase considering their preparations to put in place minimum health protocols and bring back more jobs, Lopez said.
“Earlier opening was reconsidered in recognition of the very strict health protocol that was developed and to be adopted before they can be allowed to operate to prevent any risk of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) transmission, as well as the need to start bringing back the jobs of the estimated 400,000 workers in the industry working in over 35,000 shops,” he said in a Viber message.
Opening of barbershop and salon operations may only be allowable up to 30 percent in areas under GCQ and 50 percent in areas under modified GCQ (MGCQ).
“Only one of three seats will be allowed first,” Lopez explained.
He said there would be no need for accreditation “but operations audit will be done, and non-compliant shops will be closed down until they correct the deficiencies.”
Services of salons and barbershops would be limited to a haircut, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
“Huwag po kayong masyadong ma-excite dahil limitado po ang mga barber at mga salon sa paggugupit (Do not be so excited because the services of barbershops and salons will only be limited to a haircut),” Roque said.
Roque made the clarification after the IATF-EID has agreed to allow the reopening of barbershops and hair salons on June 7.
Two weeks after June 7, barbers and hairstylists will be allowed to operate at 50 percent, Roque said. After three weeks, full operations may be resumed.He said the full operations of barbershops and hair salons would be allowed in areas under MGCQ three weeks after June 7.
“Ang mga barbero at salon sa MGCQ, pupwede na pong hanggang 50 percent ang operating capacity. At matapos ang tatlong lingo, pupwede na po ang 100 percent (For barbers and salons in areas under MGCQ, they can operate at 50 percent capacity. After three weeks, they are allowed to operate at 100 percent),” Roque said.
