Operating Capacity Of Dine-In Services To Be Expanded In GCQ And MGCQ Area Starting July 21

Written by Marc Adrian

The operating capacity of food establishments for dine-in services in General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified GCQ will soon be increased by the Department of Trade and Industry starting July 21, as announced by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Tuesday.

The Trade Secretary said during the Laging Handa public briefing that the  30% operating capacity of dine-in restaurants will finally be adjusted to 50% in GCQ areas on July 21. Meanwhile, Modified GCQ areas will be adjusted to 75% from 50%. He further added that the compliance rate of dine-in food establishments is satisfactory, with a rate between 92% to 100%.

The move to increase the operating capacities of areas under strict quarantine is part of the government’s initiative to gradually open the economy. 

Dine-in establishments will be expected to comply strictly with the health protocols such as social distancing, proper ventilation, installation of acrylic dividers, wearing of face masks, among others. The DTI also called on the local government units (LGUs) to extend their curfew hours to help dine-in establishments have more customers turnout. 

In Trade Secretary Lopez’s own words:

“Ine-enjoin din sana ang mga local government units na i-allow nila ang extension ng curfew nila na imbes na 10 p.m. gawing 12 [midnight] para ang mga restaurants can operate from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. doon po kasi ‘yung maximum operating hours.”

He further explained that it will provide more income to workers because it means more customers will turn over to dine in for diner. And if operating hours are cut short, it will be a cut to their income. 

 

 

[Source]