MANUFACTURES of key necessities like will be allowed to operate at more than 50 percent of their capacities while supermarkets and other retail establishments distributing these are being encouraged to operate 12 hours to ensure sufficient supply of and access to basic goods.
Delivery service which is currently limited to food and medicines has also been expanded to include clothes and accessories, hardware, housewares, school and office supplies as well as pet food and other veterinary products.
The manufacture and distribution of key necessities in areas still under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) such as Metro Manila and Central and Southern Luzon until May 15 had been eased even as a number of areas move to a more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) starting today.
Under the new rules, manufacturing and processing plants of basic food products, medicine and vitamins, medical supplies, devices and equipment, and essential products such as soap and detergents, diapers, feminine hygiene, products, toilet papers and wet wipes and disinfectant in ECQ areas are allowed to operate.
But establishments involved in the production, manufacturing, packaging , processing and distribution of food may operate at a maximum of 50 percent of their respective workforces unless the supply level of a basic warrants a higher capacity.
The new rules authorize the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to approve a temporary increase in the capacity of workforce of these enterprises.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said manufacture of food would be allowed up to 100 percent from the current average of 80 to 90 percent.
Manufacturers of medicines, supplies, devices including their suppliers are allowed to operate at full capacity
The general provisions of the omnibus guidelines on the existing quarantines strongly encourages supermarkets, public and private wet markets grocery stores, agri-fishery supply stores, veterinary supply stores, pharmacies, drug stores and other retail establishments selling essential goods to extend their store store operations to a minimum of 12 hours.
For wet markets, the guidelines said local government units are encouraged to adopt reasonable schemes to ensure compliance with social distancing by setting daily schedules per sector, barangay or purok.
The government continues to provide relief to lessees.
The guidelines said residential and commercial rents falling due within the duration of the ECQ or GCQ upon residential lessees and micro, small and medium enterprises not permitted to operate during said period are given a grace period of 30 days from the last due date or until such time the community quarantine whichever is higher without incurring interests, penalties fees or other charges
