The government has allowed business establishments and shopping malls to resume sale events and other consumer-related activities to help revive the domestic economy.
According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, these retail events aimed at spurring consumer and economic activity will still be governed by the guidelines of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
As part of the gradual reopening of the economy, Roque said the IATF also authorized the DTI to adjust the permissible on-site operational capacities of all business establishments and/or activities under GCQ or lower.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has also been given authority to determine the allowable operational capacity for accommodation establishments as well as the ancillary establishments within their premises, Roque said.
The latest decisions were finalized by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) during a meeting via video conference Thursday as the government moves to further open up the economy that has been weakened by the coronavirus pandemic.
"Ang mga establishments at mga malls may hold activities para magkaroon ng economic o business activity, it po yung mga sale, pero subject po ito sa DTI guideline in the operation of malls and shopping malls (Business establishments and malls may hold activities such as sale events to promote economic or business activity but will be subject to the DTI guidelines in the operations of malls and shopping malls)," he said during the Laging Handa public briefing Friday.
Back in May, the government allowed the partial operations of shopping malls in relaxed community quarantine areas but subject to strict public health measures to prevent coronavirus transmission. Sale events inside shopping malls however were restricted to limit foot traffic in the establishments.
Recently, President Duterte and the Cabinet agreed to further open up the local economy to revive business activities and livelihood of the people. The capacity of public transportation will also be increased so more people can reach their places of work.