DTI, DOLE, DILG, DOH, and DOT conduct monitoring of barbershops, salons, and dine-in restaurants in the CALABARZON region

To further protect health and safety of the publicagainst the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Regional and Provincial Offices of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, and Department of Tourismconducted a region-wide joint actual and compliance post-audit of eighty-five (85) salons, barbershops, and dine-in restaurantsand fast food establishments in the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon on June 24, 2020. The said activity was in support and compliance to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolution Numbers 41 and 45, Series of 2020.

The IATF Resolution No. 41 dated May 29, 2020 approved the DTI’s recommendation to reclassify the barbershop and salon industry as Category III, its gradual reopening beginning June 7, 2020 and the stringent health protocols for the industry. The IATF reconsideredthe earlieropening of barbershops and salonsin recognition of the very strict health standards that were developed and to be adopted before they can be allowed to operate to prevent any risk of COVID-19 transmission. As the CALABARZON region is under the General Community Quarantine, only basic haircutting services shall be permitted to be performed in barbershops and salons to shorten the time of service and lessen the exposure of customers.

On the other hand, the IATF Resolution No. 24 dated June 10, 2020 allows the gradual reopening of the dine-in food establishments in areas under the GCQ beginning June 15, 2020 at 30% operational capacity, provided that the venue capacity allows for social distancing protocols and compliant with the proper protocols set by the DTI, DOLE, DOT, DOH, and DILG.

Seventy (70) dine-in restaurants and fast food establishments and fifteen (15) salons and barbershops were audited. Based on the monitoring conducted, most business establishments were fully compliant. The rest of the firms were found to have minor non-conformities by the Monitoring Team and were advised to comply with the minimum health and safety protocols set by the DTI.

“We are very happy that business establishments in the CALABARZON region are giving us their full cooperation and support in following social distancing and health protocols to keep both the customers and workers safe. Rest assured that the DTI and our partner agencies will continue our monitoring activities to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Q. Toledo.