PCCI backs shift to Alert Level 2

MANILA, Philippines — The largest business organization in the country has voiced support for the proposal to ease restrictions in Metro Manila by placing the region under Alert Level 2.

In a statement yesterday, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said it is in favor of the proposal to move the National Capital Region (NCR) to Alert Level 2 within the next 14 days. PCCI also expressed approval of gradual increase in public transportation capacity starting tomorrow.

“The easing of restriction to Alert Level 2, which will allow most businesses to operate and restaurants to increase the capacity of allowed diners, is a good move, especially now as we enter the Christmas season and there is a surge in consumer spending,” PCCI president Benedicto Yujuico said.

“Increasing the capacity of public transport will also support the revitalization of business and the economy,” he added.

Earlier, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion called on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to downgrade Metro Manila to Alert Level 2 by Nov.15, with vaccination rates going up and the number of new COVID-19 infections in the region declining.

Concepcion said the Philippines would stand to lose a lot if Metro Manila does not shift to Alert Level 2 by Nov.15. Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 until Nov.14.

Under Alert Level 3, several business activities including dine-in restaurants, personal care service establishments, fitness studios and gyms and venues for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions are allowed 30 percent capacity for indoor operations and 50 percent capacity for outdoor.

A business establishment can get an additional 10 percent capacity if it has a safety seal.

Under Alert Level 2, businesses including dine-in restaurants, personal care service establishments, gyms and venues for meetings can operate at 50 percent for indoor and 70 percent for outdoor, plus 10 percent if they have a safety seal.

Over the past two years, Yujuico said businesses have lost so much money and opportunity due to the pandemic.

As such, he said fully opening the economy at the soonest would be necessary for businesses to recoup losses and recover.

He emphasized that health and safety protocols, however, will have to be strictly observed.

Even as the infection rate has declined, he said vaccine rollout should be accelerated throughout the country to help micro, small and medium enterprises in the regions operate on a regular basis, as many of them are engaged in the services sector.

As Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand and Singapore have opened up their economies including hotels, travel and tourism, he said the Philippines should consider doing the same to slowly recover and rebuild the economy.

Concepcion earlier pushed for home testing for fully vaccinated passengers arriving from North America and not requiring them to stay in quarantine facilities.

Under Concepcion’s proposal, passengers from the US and Canada would be tested 48 hours before departure, and again when they arrive in the Philippines at home if they live in Metro Manila or at a quarantine hotel.

Face shields out?

Meanwhile, Malacañang said authorities are studying the possibility of dropping the requirement to wear face shields in some areas on account of improving COVID-19 numbers.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the public should continue wearing face shields over face masks in closed and crowded areas and during close-contact activities because no decision has been made yet with regard to the proposal.

“I can confirm that as the numbers are going down, the issue on whether the wearing of face shields should continue is being discussed. So you are right, since the numbers are decreasing, many in the IATF are saying maybe we should also stop the wearing of face shields,” Roque said at a press briefing.

“But there is no decision yet so we have to still wear the face shields. Let me clarify that while the proposal not to require the use of face shields is gaining support because of the lower numbers, for now, let us wear the face shields, especially in the 3Cs,” he added.

Asked when the IATF would decide on the face shield requirement, Roque replied: “If I am not mistaken, that is being studied by the technical working group.”

Last September, President Duterte announced that the mandatory use of face shields would only cover the so-called 3Cs or closed and crowded areas and activities that involve close contact. Previously, the government required the wearing of both face masks and face shields even in open spaces that do not fall under the 3Cs.

Infectious diseases expert Edsel Salvaña noted that face shields could protect the eyes, which are potential entry points of the virus.

“So, aside from the double layer of protection, eye protection is also kind of important. That’s why some got infected even if they were wearing double masks because the virus can enter through the eyes,” Salvaña said.

“When it comes to outdoors, it (wearing of face shields) is now only recommendatory but for indoors, perhaps we have to make sure everyone is vaccinated first before we remove those face shields, maybe not yet for the unvaccinated,” he added. – Alexis Romero