Isko OKs 24-hour food delivery, takeout for Manila restaurants

ALWAYS OPEN The Manila City government has allowed restaurants to operate round-the-clock to help businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic. —RICHARD A. REYES

The late-night cravings of many Manila residents are sure to be satisfied after the city government allowed the 24-hour takeout and delivery of food from restaurants. Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed on Wednesday Executive Order No. 35 paving the way for round-the-clock operations of food establishments within the city during general community quarantine (GCQ) to “serve as stimulus of economic growth.”

Domagoso said this would “protect [the] jobs of Manilans and help businesses operate and survive the [new coronavirus disease] pandemic.”

Under his executive order, restaurants would be able to operate at 30 percent venue capacity. But they must follow minimum health standards such as observing physical distancing, wearing protective equipment like face masks, and other protocols imposed by the national government.

Authorized persons only

“Said restaurants may also be allowed to operate beyond the curfew hours of the city provided that [these] shall cater only to those authorized persons outside of residence as provided under Manila city ordinance or the [Inter-Agency Task Force] regulations,” the order read. Under GCQ, Metro Manila will observe a unified curfew between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Dine-ins will be allowed for the duration of the stricter GCQ although the level of capacity will be set by the local government. Aside from Manila, officials from Makati also passed a measure allowing 24-hour food delivery.