MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is proposing to allow all businesses to remain open at all alert levels but varying operating capacities.
“The idea is business activities, economic activities should continue at all alert levels, and you just change the operating capacity. So at least there is still (business) continuity,” DTI secretary Ramon Lopez told ABS CBN News Channel on Thursday.
He added that operating capacity should be reduced when an area reached Alert Level 4.
Under Alert Level 4, indoor dine-in and personal care services are allowed at 10 percent capacity for fully vaccinated customers only, while outdoor dine-in and personal care services can operate up to 30 percent operating capacity.
“So there’s containment, there are a bit of more restrictions, but at least you allow the business activities to continue,” the official noted.
The trade chief is also hopeful that the alert level system here will ease to Alert Level 3 starting today.
According to Lopez, some 76,000 to 80,000 businesses did not operate even under the alert level system since the current protocol does not allow some sectors to operate.
Moreover, he said DTI is pushing for the inclusion of gym operations in Alert Level 4, considering that fitness clubs and centers are essential businesses.(PNA)