Authorities expressed satisfaction with the measures put in place by management at Rockwell commercial complex in Makati City, which officials deem a good template for the steady but cautious reopening of businesses in a pandemic.
Officials made the statement after they inspected some establishments in Makati City to check their compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) guidelines under Alert Level 4.
“I would like to congratulate Makati and Rockwell President Nestor Padilla as they are trying their best to comply with the safety protocols to protect their customers amid the pandemic,” said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr.
Abalos was joined by Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Makati City Mayor Abigail S. Binay, who inspected al fresco dine-in services at the Rockwell Center.
As far as Rockwell is concerned, Binay said the commercial complex is ready to accommodate 30 percent of its customers.
“We also conduct random checks in establishments that have failed to comply with the IATF guidelines. In [Makati] city, we mean business.”
Under Alert Level 4, outdoor or al fresco dine-in services in restaurants are allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity, regardless of customers’ vaccination status while indoor dine-in services may be allowed at 10 percent capacity, only for fully vaccinated individuals.
Abalos and Lopez also inspected the Anytime Fitness gym at South Park Plaza in Magallanes, Makati City.
Miguel Gutierrez, co-founder of Anytime Fitness Philippines, appealed to the national government and IATF to allow them to operate at 10 percent capacity, similar to what it allows for restaurants and personal care services.
Lopez said the government will evaluate the request of gyms and fitness centers to allow them to reopen as exercise boosts immunity.
“We will study this carefully so that the health and well-being of our kababayans will be protected thru all forms of exercise. The gyms must ensure safe distancing and install air purifiers for additional ventilation,” Lopez said.