No spa services, pet grooming, review centers, drive-in cinemas in GCQ areas

MANILA, Philippines — Businesses offering personal care and pet grooming services, review centers, and drive-in cinemas are still not allowed to reopen in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Malacañang said Wednesday.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said these establishments remain closed “following the principle of gradual reopening from MECQ [modified enhanced community quarantine] to GCQ.”

Roque previously said personal care services refer to waxing, threading, shaving, foot spa, and hand spa, among others.

Roque likewise earlier announced that gyms and internet cafes are also not allowed to resume operations in GCQ areas.

Dine-in restaurants, salons, and barbershops may reopen, according to Roque, but that concerned local government units where the establishments are located will be the one to “determine the capacity” of which they will operate.

Roque also reiterated that mass gatherings, including religious activities, in GCQ areas are limited to 10 persons.

Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite are under GCQ from August 19 to  August 31.

Other areas under GCQ until the end of the month are Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Quezon, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, and the municipalities of Minglanilla and Consolacion in Cebu province.

The rest of the country is under the most lenient lockdown measure or modified general community quarantine.

KGA