The Inter-Agency Task Force has approved the recommendation that allows restaurants located in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas to partially resume dine-in services starting June 15.
The recommendations of the country’s COVID-19 task force will be presented to President Rodrigo Duterte, who will have to approve or reject it. He is expected to announce his decision on this recommendation and the fate of community quarantine in the country on June 15.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said they came up with the recommendation to allow restaurants to slowly reopen and offer dine-in services to help workers who have been struggling due to strict stay-at-home rules.
Spacing tables 1.5 meters apart and installing acrylic or clear barriers in between customers should be implemented by establishments to adhere to social distancing protocol. Other health measures, such as wearing of masks and disinfection, must also be strictly observed.
“We are really working on reopening the economy, bringing back jobs. This is the only way that we can restart the economy. It is up to the government to find that healthy balance, bringing back jobs while making sure the health protocols are complied with so we can still avert any spread and transmission of COVID-19. We don’t want to lose the gains that we have enjoyed during the GCQ,” Lopez said.
