Palace: More businesses to reopen in MGCQ areas starting August 1

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s COVID-19 task force has approved the reopening of more businesses such as live events, museums and tourist destinations in areas under the most lenient quarantine measure or modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) starting August 1, Malacañang said Wednesday.

“The members of the IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases], in their 59th meeting, also approved business activities under Category IV, which means, they are allowed in only in areas under modified general community quarantine,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

“These include full body massage; tattoo and body piercing; live events; entertainment industries; libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers; tourist destinations; language, driving, dance/acting/voice schools,” he added.

Roque said health protocols for each business activity will be crafted by the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry.

“Cockfighting and the operation of cockpits, beerhouses and similar establishments primarily serving alcoholic drinks, and kid amusement industries remain prohibited in any form of community quarantine,” he noted.

The IATF also allowed the reopening of more businesses like review centers, gyms, drive-in cinemas, among others in areas under GCQ starting August 1.

New quarantine classifications in areas all over the country are expected to be announced on Thursday, Roque earlier said.

JPV