Internet cafes, gyms and spas in NCR to stay shut during GCQ bubble

Gyms and spas are among the establishments not allowed to operate yet during the two-week GCQ bubble for NCR, adjacent provinces amid the surging COVID-19 cases. AFP PHOTO / Jay DIRECTO

MANILA, Philippines — Gyms, spas, and internet cafes in Metro Manila will remain closed in the next two weeks after local executives rejected reopening these businesses amid the rising COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“Alinsunod sa guidelines inissue ng DTI [Department of Trade and Industry] na merong kapangyarihan ang mga LGUs [local government units] na isara ang gyms, spas at internet cafe, nagbotohan na po ang mga Metro Manila mayors at sarado po sa susunod na dalawang linggo ang gyms, spas at internet cafe,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

(In accordance with the DTI’s guidelines that LGUs have the power to close gyms, spas, and internet cafes, Metro Manila mayors have voted for gyms, spas, and internet cafes to remain closed in the next two weeks.)

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal were placed in a general community quarantine (GCQ) bubble, called NCR Plus bubble, until April 4 in a bid to suppress the number of new COVID-19 cases.

During this two-week GCQ bubble, the government allowed gyms and fitness centers to operate up to 75 percent capacity and spas to operate up to 50 percent capacity.

At the same time, it also gave local government units the authority to suspend operations of these businesses according to the COVID-19 situation in their respective jurisdictions.

EDV