Businesses have once again been hit after general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions was reimplemented in the National Capital Region.
GCQ was tightened again in Manila on Friday due to the threat of the more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.
Under this, those aged 5 to 17 are no longer allowed to go out, and the curfew of 10 pm to 4 am was also restored.
As a result, malls have re-adjusted their operating hours.
Glorietta, Market Square, and Circuit Mall are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Trinoma in Quezon City, on the other hand, is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. all week instead of until 9 p.m.
According to Ayala Malls, they are willing to comply with the restrictions of the new protocol.
Robinsons Malls, on the other hand, is also open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., but tenants are allowed to close earlier.
From 50 percent, the indoor dining of restaurants has returned to 20 percent. However, half capacity is still available in outdoor or al fresco areas.
But at Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City, a 10 percent reduction in foot traffic was immediately seen since the youths were banned again.
Businesses affected by GCQ with heightened restrictions in NCR
“Malaki ang impact ng mga 5 years and up kasi nga family kasi ‘yan ‘pag nag-malling sila, so that’s why we provided this al fresco setup,” said Rowell Venzon, mall operations manager of Robinsons Magnolia.
Personal care services such as salons and barbershops return 30 percent from 50 percent.
According to Resto PH, some restaurant owners have closed again due to tight restrictions.
This is despite the investment of the private sector in vaccinating their staff.
So the group appealed for extra capacity for fully-vaccinated customers.
Local government units, on the other hand, agree that businesses are also struggling, but temporary restrictions are needed to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
According to Abalos, young people can go out in front of their houses.
Many expect the GCQ with heightened restrictions to be temporary so that the impact on businesses will not intensify.
According to the Metro Manila Council, the situation is being reviewed daily to see if the protocols can be relaxed.
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