THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sees up to 78 percent of workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other areas placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) may be allowed to go back to work come May 16.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez made this estimate as more manufacturing and service industries are allowed to open under MECQ in addition to those already allowed under ECQ.
Aside from NCR, Laguna and Cebu City will be under MECQ from May 16 to May 31.
“Around 50 to 60 percent are allowed to work under ECQ plus an additional 18 percent under MECQ. Other manufacturing activities that are not operating under ECQ can operate partially (under MECQ). Other services, professionals like accounting, architectural, legal, they can start operating partially,” Lopez said in a text message to reporters.
However, the additional sectors allowed to operate under MECQ will only have 50 percent of their workforce on site and the rest would work from home.
Aside from manufacture of essentials, the guidelines will allow the manufacture of beverages, electrical machinery, wood products, furniture , textile, and wearing apparel, tobacco products, paper and rubber and plastics, coke and refined petroleum, machinery and equipment, electrical equipment and motor vehicles in areas under MECQ.
All public and private construction as long as they are not small scale will be allowed under MECQ.
Other financial services otherwise not allowed under ECQ like insurance, money exchange, legal and accounting, architecture and engineering can operate under MECQ.
Other sectors like advertising, publishing, film/TV production , wholesale, retail and repair of motor vehicles will also be allowed to open.
MECQ will also be more liberal for retail.
Hardwares, clothing and accessories, bookstores, baby care supplies, pet food/suppliers, flower shops, jewelry, perfume and toy stores may operate.
Dine-in will not be allowed in restaurants but they will still be allowed to open for delivery and pickup.
To remain closed under both MECQ and general community quarntine are barbershops and salons, gyms and sports facilities, amusement and entertainment, libraries, tourist destinations, travel operators and personal care like massage parlors.
Lopez said under the guidelines, enterprises should observe the following the protocol: daily temperature checks and health declaration.
Only those which exhibit symptoms and are with known exposure to COVID patients will be tested.
