WITH Davao City classified under Alert Level 3, establishments or activities will be allowed to operate at a maximum of 30 percent indoor venue capacity but for fully vaccinated individuals only.
This is based on the announcement posted by the City Government on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
"The following establishments, or activities, shall be allowed to operate or be undertaken at a maximum of 30 [percent] indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50 [percent] outdoor venue capacity," the city said.
The operational capacity of business establishments under Alert Level 3 is based on the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 144-D.
This applies for venues of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE); permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers; visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like.
Also opened are amusement parks or theme parks; recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues; cinemas and movie houses are also allowed.
Dine-in services in food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols; personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options, are also allowed subject to the sector-specific protocols of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said in a radio interview on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 that business establishments allowed to increase occupancy must continue following the minimum anti-Covid health measures as the government eases restrictions under the Alert Level 3.
Schlosser said placing the city under Alert Level 3 is good news for the business sector as it allows 30 percent indoor capacity occupancy for fully vaccinated individuals and an additional 10 percent for establishments with safety seals.
While cinemas has already been listed as allowed activity, the official however said this does not mean cinemas will be automatically opened.
"Pinag-uusapan lang ang mga establishments for MICE medyo high-risk ang cinemas kasi in close space unlike outdoor activities, but cinemas, anything indoor it is high risk for massive transmissions (What was being discussed was the opening of establishments for MICE. Cinemas are high risk because it is in close space. Anything indoor is high risk for massive transmissions),” Schlosser said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
Davao City is currently under Alert Level 3 until October 31, 2021.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque he expansion of the alert level system is still considered a "pilot study" as not all regions in the country had been included in the adaption of the new classification system.
The new alert level system was piloted in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The downtrend of cases and improvement of healthcare utilization rate in NCR had prompted the IATF to expand the alert level to some parts of the country.
"Pag napag-aralan naman talaga na mas epektibo itong (If we would be able to study further the effectiveness of the) alert level system, i-implement ito (this can be implemented) on a nationwide basis. Pero ngayon, limited pilot study pa rin tayo (But for now, this will still be under limited pilot study)," Roque said.