Events venues, which had been closed for quite some time because of the pandemic, are now allowed to resume operations under limited capacities in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions, the Department of Trade and Industry said.
Advisory No. 21-09 series of 2021 issued by DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez allowed certain business establishments and activities in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal together with the highly urbanized cities of the National Capital Region and the municipality of Pateros under GCQ starting today, June 1 to June 15, 2021 pursuant to the Inter Agency Task Force Resolution No. 118-A, Series of 2021.
Based on the DTI Advisory, the so-called MICE or Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions are now allowed to resume up to 30 percent of venue capacity. Social events in the same establishments are also allowed up to 10 percent of the venue capacity, subject to DTI and the Department of Tourism guidelines.
MICE reopened in February this year under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2021-001 at limited capacities with essential meetings (50% maximum capacity) and social events (30% capacity) for the GCQ areas, but with the reimposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in March and April, MICE was again closed.
Meanwhile, capacities for personal care services, such as beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops, and nail spas, have been increased up to 40 percent of venue seating capacity, provided that these establishments shall only provide services that can accommodate the wearing of face masks at all times by patrons/clients and service providers.
Food preparation establishments are allowed to operate indoor dine-in at 30 percent capacity and 50 percent for their al fresco or outdoor dine-in services. These activities include commissaries, restaurants, and eateries.
Business establishments with the Safety Seal Certificates are given additional capacity of 10 percentage points from the prescribed on-site operational or venue capacity. This privilege is also applicable to all business establishments under other community quarantine classifications, according to the advisory.
The advisory dated May 31, 2021 stated that strict monitoring with minimum public health and safety standards and protocols shall continue to be enforced by government agencies.