Iloilo City – More businesses are now allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity as the city reboots its pandemic-hit economy.
In Executive Order No. 153-C, Mayor Jerry Treñas allowed business establishments or activities under Categories II and III in areas placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) to operate at full capacity.
Treñas based his move on Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Memorandum Circular No. 20-52-2020. It enumerates businesses allowed to operate at an increased capacity beginning Oct. 3, 2020.
Those allowed to operate with 100 percent of their workforce are banks, money transfer services, pawnshops, microfinance, credit cooperatives, capital markets, rental and leasing services, employment activities that involved recruitment and placement for permitted sectors, and mall-based government frontline services.
Banks shall operate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for each banking day and they shall be required to use acrylic or plastic barriers or separators within their respective establishments.
Foot massage and hand massage shall also be allowed provided health protocols and safety standards are observed.
Also, dining and restaurants – subject to DTI guidelines – may be allowed to operate for dine-in services 50 to 75 percent capacity.
Meanwhile, barbershops and salons (except full body massage), may be allowed to operate at 75 percent capacity.
Gyms and fitness studios, sports facilities, testing and tutorial services, review centers, internet cafes, drive in cinemas and pet grooming services are allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity.
Earlier, the city mayor ordered an automatic or immediate lockdown of the compound or household with a positive COVID-19 case shall be imposed.
Those with mild to moderate symptoms shall be subject to strict home quarantine if feasible or facility-based quarantine.
“We will also impose mandatory random testing and contact tracing. However, those with COVID-19 positive patients in their household shall be subjected to RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) testing,” said Treñas.
Treñas also set the metro’s curfew hours at 12 midnight to 3 a.m.
Random testing will start in the different offices of the city starting next week.
“We will slowly go to the new normal with the cooperation of everyone,” Treñas said.
Meanwhile, the city mayor also disclosed he had a meeting with the management of bars and restaurants in Iloilo City to show the current COVID-19 status.
The city government, he said, requested these businesses to set up barriers in their establishments to avert the possible contagion.
Treñas added that the city will also look into the selling and consumption of liquors, citing the still rising COVID-19 cases.
“We need to take precautions. Although businesses continue to help boost the economy, we must still stay vigilant especially that the virus is still present,” he stressed./PN
