NCR establishments ‘compliant’ on first day of alert level system

MANILA – The National Capital Region (NCR) mayors are “satisfied” with the compliance of business establishments to the guidelines imposed during the first day of the new Covid-19 alert level system in Metro Manila on Thursday.

During an inspection at the Greenhills Shopping Center, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said despite “short notice”, businesses were able to comply with the protocols of the new quarantine system.

“We are satisfied with the private establishments’ compliance to the guidelines for the alert level system piloted in Metro Manila. Despite the short notice to the mayors, they all delivered,” Abalos said.

Abalos was accompanied by Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora during the inspection at Greenhills and SM Mega Mall in Mandaluyong.

He said the inspection focused on “three Cs”—closed spaces like restaurants, close contact like personal care services like salons, and crowded spaces like churches.

Earlier, Abalos said Metro Manila mayors agreed to implement uniform Alert Level 4, the second-highest alert level, with granular lockdowns from Sept. 16 to 30 to further contain the spread of the Covid-19.

Under Alert Level 4, outdoor or alfresco dine-in services in restaurants are allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity, regardless of customers’ vaccination status while indoor dine-in services are allowed at 10 percent capacity and only for fully vaccinated individuals.

“With the opening of establishments, we must ensure that transmission of Covid-19 is prevented and everyone is safe from the virus,” Abalos said.

The personal care services, under Alert Level 4, are limited to barbershops, hair and nail spas, and beauty salons and are allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity outdoors regardless of customers’ vaccination status while indoor services are at 10 percent capacity and only for the fully vaccinated.

To help promote Covid-19 vaccinations and boost the local economy, business establishments with fully vaccinated employees have “100 percent fully vaccinated” stickers installed at the entrances.

He said the Metro Manila Council has also coordinated with other government agencies in the proper implementation of the new quarantine system.

“We have coordinated with all concerned agencies like the Philippine National Police, for the enforcement of rules on the ground, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the provision of the food supply,” Abalos said.