Food establishments are now allowed to resume their dine-in services while care establishments like salons and nail spas may now reopen in areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), Malacañang announced.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following the extension of the MECQ in the National Capital Region-plus (NCR-plus) bubble until May 14.
In a statement, Roque said the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved Thursday the recommendation to allow restaurants, eateries, commissaries, and other food preparation establishments to resume their indoor dine-in services at an initial 10 percent venue capacity under MECQ.
The Palace official said the IATF also approved the resumption of operations of beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops, and nail spas at an initial 30 percent venue capacity in areas under the MECQ.
The said establishments can only provide services that can accommodate the wearing of face masks at all times by clients and service providers. Personal care establishments and services not mentioned shall not be allowed to operate.
Roque said the food and personal care establishments may operate their indoor dine-in services beyond this limitation, provided that they "comply with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 21-01 (s. 2021) or the Safety Seal Certification Program."
On Wednesday, President Duterte approved the two-week extension of MECQ in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. The City of Santiago in Isabela, Quirino, and Abra are also under MECQ but until May 31.
Duterte has asked for the public's understanding following his decision to extend for another two weeks the MECQ, saying it was necessary due to the spike of cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Meanwhile, Roque explained the IATF decided to extend the MECQ in the NCR-plus bubble area for only two weeks because the number of COVID-19 cases in the said area was already decreasing.
He said the further reopening of the economy in MECQ areas is made to promote the total health of the public amid the ongoing pandemic.