The Pasay City government gave several commercial establishments in the city the go-signal to operate in full capacity after coming up with a memorandum adjusting its rules on community quarantine this yuletide season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Mayor Imelda Rubiano pointed out that these establishments must still follow strict health protocols to be able to operate, including the wearing of face masks, face shields, temperature checks, and hand disinfections.
“I wish to remind everybody to follow our health protocol, our E.M.I. habit E – Ensure to always wash your hands; M – Mask is a must; and I – Implement Physical Distancing,” she said.
Rubiano said the decision to relax the guidelines was based on the agreement reached by Metro Manila mayors to amend certain regulations of the general community quarantine.
Allowed to operate at 100 percent were: Financial services such as money exchange, insurance, reinsurances, lending companies, and non-compulsory; Legal and accounting; Management consultancy activities; Publishing and printing services;
Film, music and TV production; Recruitment and placement agencies for overseas employment, and other services such as photography, fashion, industrial, graphic and interior design; Wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles, including their parts and components;
Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles; Malls and commercial centers (non-leisure only) but “subject further to pertinent guidelines issued by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Also allowed were Non-leisure wholesale and retail establishment (mall-based or otherwise) such as mall-based government frontline services; hardware stores; clothing and accessories; bookstores and office supplies stores; baby or infant care supplies; pet shops, pet food and pet care supplies;
IT, communications, and electronic equipment; flower, jewelry, novelty, antique, perfume shops; toy store (playgrounds and amusement area are closed); music stores; art galleries (selling only); and firearms and ammunition trading establishment.
Hotels and accommodation establishments that have four- or five-star ratings from the Department of Tourism and have obtained a DOT certificate to operate for “staycations” may accept “staycation” guests.
Travel services may also operate at 100% capacity subject to minimum health protocols.
Other businesses that could operate are drive-in cinemas, internet cafes and computer shops of a at least 30 square meters in size provided they have a city business permit and maintain physical distancing at least one meter between workstations.
Testing, tutorial, and review centers may also operate, provided students must be at least 18 years old, and that instructors and students in a room must be at least two meters apart from each other.
“They are encouraged to adopt alternative or flexible work arrangements so that not all employees are physically present on work premises at the same time,” said Mayor Rubiano.
The memorandum stated that residents aged more than 65 years old, and those with health risks, and pregnant women are advised to remain at home.
“Those who are below 18 years old should be accompanied by their parent/s when going outside their residences for obtaining essential goods and services only,” the memorandum stated.
Open air parks such as the Cultural Center of Philippines (CCP) complex, SM by the Bay, and other similar establishments/areas “may operate at the discretion of their management, for non-contact and non-group exercise or sports activities such as walking, jogging, swimming, bicycling, tennis, badminton, etc.”
Gyms, fitness centers, and sports facilities may operate 75% capacity subject to certain limitations such as the arrangement of equipment that should be at least two meters apart; regular sanitization of equipment and lockers; among others; barbershops and salons may also operate at 75% capacity; pet grooming at 75%.