Seminars, confabs at 30% capacity OK in GCQ areas

MANILA, Philippines — The government panel handling the country’s COVID-19 response has allowed the holding of workshops, training, seminars, conventions, conferences, consumer trade shows, board meetings, symposia, and the like in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

But the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said these events must only fill up 30 percent of the venue capacity.

In its latest resolution, the IATF said the meetings, conventions, incentives, and exhibition events could be held in restaurants, ballrooms, and function halls within hotel premises and mall atria.

It directed the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to jointly issue guidelines for these events.

But this is without prejudice to stricter protocols that local government units may impose in areas where the venue is located.

The latest IATF decision would allow more gatherings to be held in public places.

According to the most recent guidelines of the IATF, all establishments, whether public or private, need to use the StaySafe.ph application in order to obtain the government-required Safety Seal.

In its latest resolution, the IATF adopted the recommendations of the Office of the Cabinet Secretariat, which pushed for the implementation of the Safety Seal Certification Program.

The IATF requires all establishments, including government offices, private companies, hotels, and business establishments, to adopt the Safety Seal.

One of the requirements to get the seal is to use the StaySafe.ph application and to generate its QR code that would be displayed in all entrances.

The other requirements to get the Safety Seal would be contained in a joint memorandum circular to be issued by the DTI, Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of the Interior and Local Government, DOT, and Department of Transportation.

Earlier, the IATF made the use of the StaySafe.ph app for national government agencies and local governments mandatory.