BACK IN BUSINESS. Barbershops and salons may resume their operations in areas under general community quarantine starting June 7, 2020. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, however, said their operations would be limited to 30 percent in areas under GCQ and 50 percent in areas under modified GCQ. (Photo courtesy of the National Task Force Against Covid-19)
MANILA – Barbershops and salons may resume their operations in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) starting June 7, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Saturday.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the opening of barbershops and salons in an earlier phase considering their preparations to put in place minimum health protocols and bring back more jobs, Lopez said.
“Earlier opening was reconsidered in recognition of the very strict health protocol that was developed and to be adopted before they can be allowed to operate to prevent any risk of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) transmission, as well as the need to start bringing back the jobs of the estimated 400,000 workers in the industry working in over 35,000 shops,” he said in a Viber message.
However, the IATF only allowed the opening of barbershop and salon operations up to 30 percent in areas under GCQ and 50 percent in areas under modified GCQ (MGCQ).
“Only one of three seats will be allowed first,” Lopez said, describing the set-up in a 30-percent operation of barbershops and salons.
He said there would be no need for accreditation to remove any bureaucracy “but operations audit will be done, and non-compliant shops will be closed down until they correct the deficiencies.”
Limited to haircut
Meanwhile, Malacañang clarified that the grooming services of salons and barbershops would be limited to a haircut.
During the Laging Handa program aired on state-run PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said barbershops and hair salons are still barred from offering facial care, threading, manicure, and pedicure to their customers.
“Huwag po kayong masyadong ma-excite dahil limitado po ang mga barber at mga salon sa paggugupit (Do not be so excited because the services of barbershops and salons will only be limited to a haircut),” Roque said.
Roque made the clarification after the IATF-EID has agreed to allow the reopening of barbershops and hair salons on June 7.
Two weeks after June 7, barbers and hairstylists will be allowed to operate at 50 percent, Roque said.
GCQ will be imposed in Pangasinan; Cagayan Valley; Central Luzon; Calabarzon; Metro Manila, including Pateros; Central Visayas; Zamboanga City; Davao City; Cebu City; and Mandaue City from June 1 to 15.
The rest of the country will be under MGCQ.
Roque reiterated that the IATF-EID allows the 50-percent operation of barbershops and salons in areas under MGCQ.
He said the full operations of barbershops and hair salons would be allowed in areas under MGCQ three weeks after June 7.
“Ang mga barbero at salon sa MGCQ, pupwede na pong hanggang 50 percent ang operating capacity. At matapos ang tatlong lingo, pupwede na po ang 100 percent (For barbers and salons in areas under MGCQ, they can operate at 50 percent capacity. After three weeks, they are allowed to operate at 100 percent),” Roque said. (PNA)
