DTI proposes reopening of gyms, museums

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is proposing the reopening of indoor establishments such as gyms and museums at a low operating capacity.

During an interview with One News’ “Agenda” aired on Cignal TV yesterday, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said he is recommending the reopening of indoor activities including gyms and tourist attractions like museums.

“This week, we asked the technical working group to consider this proposal. We actually mentioned to them that by this week, we shall be proposing indoor activities, some more indoor activities in a safe manner in the sense that even at low operating capacity, just to allow them to open. So, examples would be indoor activities like indoor sports, indoor gyms and indoor tourist attractions like museums and the like,” Lopez said.

Asked at how much capacity he would want the establishments to be allowed to operate, Lopez said the suggestion is at 20 percent capacity in the National Capital Region Plus and other areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

He said he expects to get word on the proposal by tomorrow as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will have a meeting.

Earlier, the government allowed an increase in the operating capacity for indoor dining and those offering personal care services as well as the resumption of operations of venues for meetings, conventions and exhibitions event in NCR and other areas under GCQ with heightened restrictions.

Lopez said business establishments that secured a safety seal from the government showing they are compliant with the minimum health protocols are allowed to operate at an additional 10 percent.

As the inoculation of the A4 priority group covering workers from both the public and private sector kicked off Monday and more vaccines are expected to arrive in the country, the government is looking to ramp up vaccination capacity.

While the number of people who have been vaccinated remains low, Lopez said the government is looking at offering incentives to encourage those yet to be inoculated.

He said the DTI would not support any policy that would discriminate against people who have not yet been vaccinated.

“What we are proposing is some kind of incentive,” he said.

Earlier, he said he wants senior citizens, particularly those 65 years old and above who have been fully vaccinated for a month, to be allowed to step outside of their residences and to have increased mobility.

A shorter quarantine period is also being proposed for vaccinated travelers who would have a negative swab test result.