Dine-in in restaurants OK again despite quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has allowed dine-in operations of restaurants in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said restaurants under MGCQ areas may resume dine-in operations at 50 percent capacity beginning this June.

“Dine-in operations are now allowed in MGCQ, but it doesn’t mean that you can engage in drinking and feasting sessions. Health protocols must still be followed,” Roque said at a press briefing.

Malacañang on Tuesday released a copy of IATF-EID Resolution No. 42, which approved the resumption of dine-in operations in food establishments in places under MGCQ.

“The resumption of, and continued restaurant operations of restaurant dine-in services shall be subject to the proprietors’ compliance with the proper health protocols set by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism,” part of the resolution read.

The two agencies will craft a postaudit mechanism to determine cases of noncompliance, which can be a basis for temporary closure.

The DTI prescribed minimum health protocols for dine-in operations, such as a no mask, no entry policy, social distancing, regular sanitation and contactless ordering and cashless payment.

Customers must be escorted to their assigned table with a corresponding number.

The customer will then select orders from the menu placed on the table or from the order taker while observing physical distancing.

Both the customer and server must sanitize their hands after placing and paying for the order.

There will be no buffet and self-service areas for condiments and utensils, while there should be separate washbasins for kitchen staff and dine-in customers.

Play areas in restaurants will be closed, while a specific area will be designated for takeaway or pickup, or contactless drive through counters.

There will be no physical contact during payment as small trays will be provided for accepting cash. Restaurants may accept alternative modes of payment if possible.

The DTI also prescribed the regular sanitation of high contact areas and surfaces.

Roque said restaurants in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) should wait for further announcements as to when they will be allowed to resume dine-in operations.

The announcement came as the government further eased the community quarantine restrictions after more than two months of a strict lockdown.

Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Pangasinan, Zamboanga City and Davao City were placed under GCQ until June 15, while other parts of the country were placed under MGCQ. INQ