Malacañang believes that the private owners and local government units will be able to ensure that establishments allowed to operate under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) are compliant with health protocols against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after dine-in services and certain personal care establishments were allowed to resume operations during MECQ starting May 1.
In a virtual presser in State-run PTV-4 on Friday, Roque expressed confidence that these establishments will be able to comply with minimum health standards since the national and local government and the private sector have always been working together to ensure the safety of the public.
"Inaasahan natin na ang lokal na pamahalaan at ang mga private owners mismo, mga mall operators, sila po ang magsisiguro ng 10 percent capacity at saka 30 percent capacity doon sa apat na personal care industries na ating inisa-isa (We expect that the local government and the private owners themselves--mall operators-- will ensure that restaurants will follow the 10 percent dine-in capacity and 30 percent capacity for the four personal care industries)," he said.
On Thursday April 29, the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved 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 starting May 1.
The body 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 MECQ.
The said 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."
Meanwhile, Roque said on Friday restobars may not be allowed to operate due to the implementation of a liquor ban by local government units (LGUs).
"Restaurants lang po kasi depende rin 'yan sa mga lokal na pamahalaan kung meron silang liquor ban (It's only restaurants for now but it depends on the LGU if they have a liquor ban)," he said.
"Kasi ang mga liquor ban naman po, mga lokal na pamahalaan ang nagpapatupad niyan (Liquor bans are being implemented by LGUs)," he added.
The following areas in the Philippines are under MECQ until May 14:
- Metro Manila
- Bulacan
- Cavite
- Laguna
- Rizal
- Abra
- Ifugao
- City of Santiago, Isabela
- Quirino