DTI not Keen in Reopening Indoor Restaurants in PH

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is not keen on reopening indoor economic activities such as dine-in restaurants in the Philippines.

According to DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, the department would not risk reopening the industry due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and emerging new COVID variants.

 “A lot of indoor activities na hindi naman high-risk but with the new strain, may pagkadelikado sa ngayon. So if ever we’ll re-open, baka ‘yung indoor operations sa mga restaurants, unless magawan talaga ng re-engineering dito baka they might be kept closed muna,” said Lopez in a TV interview.

The Philippines tallied a record high of 15,310 cases in just a day on April 2, 2021. However, the number of COVID-19 cases was already increasing even earlier this year. 

Tourism and the food industry especially dine-in restaurants have already been badly affected by the pandemic. 

Now with the National Capital Region (NCR) bubble extended for another week, more damage may be incurred on the industry.

NCR and provinces in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal were placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the increasing number of cases in the region from March 22 to April 4. However, it will be extended for another week beginning April 5.

Lopez added that the lockdowns may slow down their operations or will just shut down their businesses.

“I think mas marami pa muna ang magsasara or slow down, especially ‘yung affected pa ‘yung certain sectors that would really be hit hard or are already hit hard.” Lopez said. (ASC)