Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — The Department of Trade wants gyms and fitness centers be allowed to operate even at limited capacity prior to their inspection for Safety Seal issuances.
“Para mabuksan agad, pwede naman ho natin i-request na imbes na 30%, magbukas sila kahit 20% para lang ho makapag-open na sila,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said during Monday’s Palace briefing.
“Hindi na sila mag-antay ng mag-i-inspection dahil alam po natin na baka hindi kaagad sila mapuntahan,” he also said.
[Translation: We could request they be allowed to operate at least at 20% (capacity) instead of 30% just so they can open. This way they won’t have to wait for inspection (before opening) since we know they might not get inspected immediately.]
Lopez said this request will be made to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases later in the day.
The IATF has allowed such establishments, which also include the likes of skating rinks and racket sports courts, to resume operations in the National Capital Region Plus provided they bag Safety Seal certifications. These seals assure consumers the concerned establishment abides by health and safety protocols as prescribed by authorities.
“Pag nainspeksyon sila kaagad between one or two weeks, pwede ho silang mag-30 percent dahil ang safety seal naman ho would allow really a 10 percentage point increase sa mabibigyan ho ng safety seal,” said Lopez, noting this is also granted to establishments like restaurants and barbershops.
[Translation: Should they get inspected immediately between one or two weeks, they can increase their operating capacity to 30% since the safety seal would allow a 10 percentage point increase (in capacity).]
NCR Plus is currently under general community quarantine with restrictions. President Rodrigo Duterte is set to announce the new quarantine classification in many parts of the country tonight.
