Opening of barbershops, salons in GCQ areas eyed but under very strict hygiene standards’

MANILA, Philippines —  Barbershops, salons, and spas may be allowed to operate in areas where the general community quarantine (GCQ) will be imposed but subject to “very strict hygiene standards,” Malacañang said Tuesday.

In an online press briefing, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has recommended the resumption of the operation of personal care industries in areas where some coronavirus lockdown rules would be relaxed starting May 1.

However, the Palace official said that this would be among the contentious issues the Inter-Agency Task Force would discuss on Wednesday.

“Sa rekomendasyon po ng DTI, (pwede) under very strict hygiene standards. Pero sa tingin ko po, isa ito sa mga issues na magiging sentro ng balitaktakan sa meeting ng IATF bukas

(Under DTI’s recommendation, they can operate but with very strict hygiene standards. I think this will be among the key topics the IATF will discuss tomorrow in its meeting.)

Meanwhile, hardware stores, clothing and accessory shops, and other non-leisure establishments will be allowed to operate in areas covered by the GCQ, Roque noted.

The Palace official also bared a revised list of areas where the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will remain until May 15.

Areas not on ECQ, which are deemed to have a low to moderate risk to COVID-19 infection, will be under GCQ where “minimum health standards” would be observed.