Gov’t mulls proposal to reopen barbershops, salons at 30% capacity

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s task force on COVID-19 is studying the possibility of reopening barbershops and salons at 30 percent capacity in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Friday.

“What they are proposing is they’ll (barbershops, salons) be allowed to let’s say, example, to take 10, 20 or 30 percent capacity but wala pa siyang decision (but there is no decision yet),” Año, vice chairman of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, said over ANC when asked about reopening barbershops and salons during GCQ.

Año said that for now, barbershops and salons remain closed at GCQ, as the task force has yet to discuss fully the reopening these establishments.

Many establishments offering personal care services such as salons and spas have remained suspended under the different quarantine restrictions as officials require physical distancing to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

“Mahabang usapin pa ‘yan. It is still a topic and point of discussion of debate in the IATF. For now, hindi pa allowed ang barbershops and salons sa mga malls and all areas under GCQ (That will be a long debate. It is still a point of discussion and debate in the IATF. For now, barbershops and salons are prohibited in malls and all areas under GCQ),” said Año.

Among the measures being eyed is the implementation of an accreditation system that would regulate the operation of barbershops, salons, and other personal care industries during the community quarantine to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said owners of large barbershops had presented to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and National Task Force on COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. a system on how they intend to implement health protocols to minimize contact and prevent coronavirus infection.

“Sa ngayong po wala pa pong approval pero nagkaroon naman po sila ng konsultasyon pinakita nila kung papano nila gagawin at naimpress naman po ang ating chief implementer, si Sec. Galvez at si Sec. Lopez,” Roque said in an interview over dzBB.

“So inaasahan po natin na mapag-uusapan muli itong issue ng barberya at inaasahan naman po natin na sa GCQ magkakaroon tayo ng sistema ng accreditation na ‘yung may mga sapat na kakayahan para magobserve ng minimum hygiene standards ay baka pupwede pong magoperate. Pero antayin n’yo po ang anunsyo,” he added.

In a taped public address on Thursday night, President Rodrigo Duterte officially announced that Metro Manila, Davao City, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Pangasinan and Albay will be placed under GCQ.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be under modified GCQ.

EDV