Palace announced the conduct of workshops, training, seminars, and other related events are now allowed in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas at up to 30% capacity.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) agreed to allow such activities.
On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced Metro Manila, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan, and Davao City would remain under GCQ until December 31 while the rest of the country is under modified GCQ.
The IATF also allowed with up to 30% capacity are congresses, conferences, board meetings, colloquia, conclaves, symposia, and consumer trade shows.
“The abovementioned events must be held in venues in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and will be permitted up to 30% venue capacity,” Roque said.
Roque said the venues include restaurants, in general; restaurants attached to hotels; ballrooms and function halls within hotels; venues within hotel premises; and mall atria.
The IATF directed the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to issue joint guidelines on activities.
Trainings, workshops now allowed in GCQ areas
Meanwhile, the Palace official said the IATF also adopted the Office of the Cabinet Secretariat’s recommendation to impose the Safety Seal Certification Program in addition to StaySafe.ph.
“All establishments, such as government offices, private companies, hotels, and business establishments and public transportation units are thus required to adopt the Safety Seal,” Roque said.
The IATF ordered the DTI, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), DOT, and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to issue the necessary joint memorandum circular concerning the requirements to secure a Safety Seal. This includes the adoption of the Stay Safe application and the generation and display of its QR Code.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque urges the public to avoid any large gatherings or limit holiday celebrations with only household members. He stresses that the threat of COVID-19 could be anywhere and that the public should remain vigilant this holiday season.