EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT, FITNESS BIZ TO RETURN AUG

EDUCATION, fitness and entertainment establishments on Wednesday secured the government’s approval to resume operations by August as part of the general thrust to reopen the economy.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez told reporters the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) approved his agency’s proposal to permit the reopening of several business activities in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas. Effective August 1, six sectors were reclassified to Category III, or the list of industries allowed to do business under the quarantine.

They are: testing, tutorial and review centers; gyms and fitness and sports facilities; computer shops and Internet cafés; establishments offering personal grooming and aesthetic services; pet grooming services; and drive-in cinemas.

As per IATF instructions, they are authorized to operate in GCQ areas for at least 30 percent of their normal capacity. Also, they shall implement health protocols mandated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in coordination with the Department of Health.

Last week Businessmirror reported the DTI is readying the revised list of business activities that are allowed to operate during the quarantine.

Lopez explained the economy can no longer wait for the virus to be wiped out fully before it is reopened, especially at a time millions are left jobless by the health crisis. He said the virus is here to stay, and the people should live with this reality.

“We can live with the virus, and that’s the mindset now. We just have to manage it. The virus is here to stay, but we should slowly reopen the economy,” Lopez said. As promised, however, numerous business activities were kept in Category IV, the classification for sectors allowed to operate only in areas under modified GCQ. Most of them, as expected, require people to stay close to each other, compromising social distancing protocols.

They are: full body massage; tattoo and body piercing; live events; entertainment industries; libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers; tourist spots; and language, driving and talent schools.

Further, cockfighting pits are prohibited from reopening in any quarantine restriction, same as beer houses and similar establishments primarily serving alcoholic drinks. Similarly, industries that operate kid amusement shops and parks remain barred from reopening.