The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) estimates that up to 70% of active industries and businesses are now operating (June 1, 2020) as Metro Manila and many provinces across Luzon transition to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) from a 16-day Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).
As emphasized by several government officials in the past few days, the transition is aimed at helping pump back the local economy, which has been affected since the implementation of strict Covid-19 quarantine protocols in the country since March 16, 2020. Moreover, stringent safety protocols will be observed and implemented to help keep the spread of the infection at bay.
Aside from Metro Manila, the following provinces and regions have also transitioned to GCQ starting June 1, 2020: Albay, Davao City, Pangasinan, Zamboanga, Central Visayas, Region 2, Region 3, and Region 4-A (Calabarzon).
The national government, through the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases and other concurring departments or agencies, has released a list of businesses that are allowed to operate upon the implementation of GCQ in Metro Manila and other cities/provinces nationwide. Here are those enterprises that can operate in full or partial capacity (businesses not listed here may operate in the coming weeks):
• Delivery services transporting food, medicine, essential goods, clothing, accessories, hardware, housewares, school and office supplies, and pet food/veterinary products
• Banks and capital markets, including but not limited to The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, The Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine Stock Exchange, Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation, Philippine Securities Settlement Corporation, and Philippine Depository and Trust Corporation
• Utility companies (power, energy, water), Information Technology firms, Telecommunications, Waste Disposal Services, Property Management, and Building Utility Services
• Energy companies, their third-party contractors and service providers
• Telecommunications companies, internet service providers, and cable television providers
• Airline and aircraft maintenance employees
• Media establishments, but at a maximum operational capacity of 50% of their total permanent staff
• Construction firms accredited by the Department of Public Works and Highways to work on quarantine and isolation facilities, health facilities, emergency works, flood control, and other disaster risk reduction and rehabilitation works
• Funeral and embalming services (must provide shuttle service or temporary housing accommodation for personnel)
• Businesses in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors
• Supermarkets, convenience stores, and drugstores are allowed to operate on full capacity. Other forms of retailers (clothing, hardware, and others) are on reduced manpower capacity.
• Restaurants and fast food chains may operate but on limited capacity as they are only allowed to cater to takeout, pickup, or delivery transactions (Update: As of June 15, 2020, restaurants are now allowed to offer dine-in options to customers, but should only accommodate 30% at maximum of their dining capacity at a time.)
• Humanitarian assistance groups and those performing relief operations from non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and the United Nations-Humanitarian Country Teams (must be authorized by an appropriate government agency or LGU)
• Manufacturers of medicine and medical supplies, devices, and equipment
• Manufacturers and processors of basic food products, medicine and vitamins, and other essential products (soap, detergents, diapers, hygiene products, and disinfectants) may operate on 50% workforce capacity (DTI may approve a temporary increase in workforce capacity when needed)
• All government offices
• Update: Salons and barbershops are now allowed to operate but on a limited capacity (physical distancing must be observed at all times).