Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque/ Screenshot from PCOO Facebook video
MANILA, Philippines — The government’s COVID-19 task force has allowed the conduct of workshops, trainings, seminars, and the like at 30 percent venue capacity in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Malacañang said Friday.
In a statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said other events allowed are congresses, conferences, board meetings, colloquia, conclaves, symposia, and consumer trade shows.
“The above-mentioned events must be held in venues in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and will be permitted up to 30% venue capacity,” Roque said.
“Venues include restaurants, in general; restaurants attached to hotels; ballrooms and function halls within hotels; venues within hotel premises; and mall atria,” he added.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases directed the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Trade and Industry to issue the necessary guidelines.
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat noted that social events are not yet covered by the new IATF directive.
“[S]ocial events (like birthday celebrations, weddings, Christmas and office parties, pageants, award events, gala receptions, shows), product launch events, political gatherings, cultural festivities, and sporting events are not yet covered,” Puyat said in a separate statement.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)
Still, Puyat welcomed this development, saying it will greatly benefit the country’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences Exhibitions (MICE) sector which was affected by the restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“While the pandemic has taught organizers to embrace technology, some gatherings in a physical set-up can now proceed, with health and safety protocols in place,” Puyat said.
“We are optimistic that the country’s MICE sector shall start to thrive again, with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry in crafting the implementing guidelines,” she added.
Puyat said local government units may also issue additional guidelines for venues in their jurisdictions that will cater to events allowed by the IATF.