MANILA, Philippines — Select businesses will be allowed to resume operations in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting May 16, Malacañang announced Wednesday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, noted that some businesses may only employ half of its workforce on site while the other half must work from home.
Metro Manila, Laguna, and Cebu City were the three areas eased to MECQ from May 16 to 31.
As presented by the Palace official, the following are allowed to reopen businesses in areas under MECQ provided that safety protocols are observed:
Category 1:
- Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
- Manufacturing of essential goods (food and beverages), hygiene (soap, detergent, disinfectant), medicines and vitamins, medical products (masks), pet food, feeds, and fertilizers
- Hospitals and clinics
- Essential retail (groceries, markets, drugs stores)
- Laundry shops
- Food preparation and water refilling (take out and delivery)
- Logistics service providers (cargo, warehousing, trucking, shipping line)
- Delivery services
- Utilities: power, energy, water, telecom, aircon, water collection/supply, waste management, sewerage (except septic tank emptying but including pest control, garbage control, etc.)
- Repair and installation of machinery and equipment
- Telecommunication companies
- Energy companies
- Gasoline stations
- Construction workers accredited by the DPWH to work on facilities for healthcare and risk reduction
- Manufacturing companies and suppliers of products necessary for construction
- Media establishments
Category 2:
- Manufacturing (beverage, electrical machinery, wood, non-metallic products, textiles, tobacco products, paper products, rubber and plastic products, refined petroleum products, computer, electronics, and optical products electrical equipment, machinery, motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, other transport equipment) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Cement and steel
- Mining and quarrying
- Electronic commerce companies
- Export-oriented companies
- Real estate activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Essential public and private construction projects (sewerage, water services facilities, health facilities) and priority (food production, agriculture, energy, housing, communication, water utilities, manufacturing, and BPO) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home; small scale projects prohibited
- Repair of computers and personal household goods
- Housing Services activities
- Office administrative and office support (photocopying, billing) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Special purpose accommodation for healthcare workers, OFWs, workers in permitted sectors and non-OFWs with mandated quarantine
- Accommodation for guests – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home; Only for existing long-term booking as of May 1 in Luzon
- Funeral and embalming services = Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home; excluding funeral parlors
- Veterinary clinics – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Security and investigation activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Banks, money transfer, services, microfinance institutions, pawnshop, and credit cooperatives
- Capital markets
- Money exchange, insurance, reinsurance, and non-compulsory pension fund – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Legal and accounting -Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Management consultancy activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Architecture and engineering activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Scientific research and development – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Category 3:
- Advertising and market research – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Computer programming – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Publishing and printing activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Film, music and TV production – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Rental, leasing other than real estate (vehicles, equipment for permitted sectors)
- Employment activities (Recruitment)
- Photography, fashion, industrial, graphic and interior design – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles including parts – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Repair of motor vehicles (vulcanizing, battery, auto repair) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Malls and commercial centers (non-leisure) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Restaurants – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home, delivery and take out
- Hardware stores – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Clothing and accessories – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Mall-based government frontline services – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Bookstores and school and office supplies stores – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Baby care supplies store – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Pet food and care supplies – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- IT, communications and electronic equipment – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Flower, jewelry, novelty, antique, perfume shops – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
- Toy stores (playgroups, amusement areas closed) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
The following activities, meanwhile, will remain prohibited even in areas under MECQ:
- Barbershops and salons
- Gyms/fitness studios and sports facilities
- Entertainment industries (cinema, theaters, karaoke bars)
- Kid amusement industries (playrooms, rides)
- Libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers
- Tourist destinations (water parks, beaches, resorts)
- Travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service and related services
- Personal care services (massage parlors, sauna, facial care, waxing, etc.)
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