Videoke bars can operate under Alert Level 2; patrons urged to sing with masks on

MANILA, Philippines — Now that entertainment businesses like videoke bars are allowed to open in areas under COVID-19 Alert Level 2, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has this piece of advice to those who are ready to belt it out: Better sing with a face mask on.

Roque said karaoke bars in areas placed under Alert Level 2 are allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity for fully vaccinated customers. The employees and workers of these establishments have to be vaccinated as well.

“Sa akin po, mag-iingat pa rin ako. Kung pwedeng kumanta ng naka-face mask, e kumanta na po kayo ng naka-face mask kasi bagamat nais nating mabhay muli ang ating mga industriya kagaya ng karaoke, ayaw naman nating maging superspreader event yan,” Roque said in a press briefing.

(For me, we still have to be careful. If you can sing with your face mask on, then do that because despite wanting to help our industries recover, we do not want for these to become superspreader events.)

“Kung pu-pwede pag kumanta kayo na naka-face mask pero hindi naman po requirement siguro ‘yan kung merong espasyo between doon sa kakanta at doon sa mga ibang kasama. Pero mas mabuti po talaga, mag-face mask habang kumakanta,” he added.

(If you can sing with your face mask on although maybe it is not a requirement if there is enough space between the person singing and their friends. But it would be better if you sing with your face masks on.)

On Thursday night, Malacañang announced that Metro Manila will be placed under a more relaxed Alert Level 2 from November 5-21.

READ: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1510629/ncr-eased-to-alert-level-2-starting-nov-5