Businesses allowed to operate in areas under modified ECQ

Malacañang on Wednesday released the list of businesses that will be allowed to operate in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine.

The guidelines will apply in Metro Manila, Laguna and Cebu City from May 16 to 31. The government said these areas continue to be considered high risk in the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Below is the list of businesses:

• agriculture, forestry and fisheries
• manufacturing of essential goods
• food and beverages (only non-alcoholic drinks)
• hygiene (e.g. soap, detergent, disinfectant)
• medicines and vitamins
• medical products (e.g. masks)
• pet food, feeds, and fertilizers
• hospitals and clinics (non-aesthetic- e.g. dermatological, dental, optometric, and eye, ear, nose, throat)
• essential retail (e.g., groceries. markets, drug stores)
• laundry shops (including self-service)
• food preparation and water-refilling: take-out and delivery only
• logistics service providers (e.g. cargo handling, warehousing, trucking, shipping line)
• delivery services
• utilities: power, energy, water, telecom, aircon, water collection/supply management, sewerage (except septic tank emptying, but including pest control, garbage collection, etc.)
• repair and installation of machinery and equipment
• telecommunications companies (e.g. ISPs, cable providers, telco third party contractors)
• energy companies (including third party contractors) across transmission, distribution, maintenance, retail, exploration, operations, trading and delivery of raw materials (including refineries and depots)
• gasoline stations
• construction workers accredited by the Department of Public Works and Highways to work on facilities for healthcare and risk reduction
• manufacturing companies and suppliers of products necessary for construction
• media establishments
• cement and steel
• mining and quarrying
• electronic commerce companies
• postal, courier and delivery services
• export-oriented companies (with point-to-point shuttles)
• repair of computers and personal and household goods
• housing service activities
• special purpose accommodation for healthcare workers, OFWs, workers in permitted sectors, and non-OFWs with mandated quarantine
• business process outsourcing (BPO): work-from-home, on-site or near site accommodation or point-to-point shuttles
• banks, money transfer services, microfinance institutions, pawnshops, and credit cooperatives
• capital markets
• rental and leasing, other than real estate (e.g., vehicles, equipment for permitted sectors)
• employment activities (e.g., recruitment and placement for permitted sectors)
• rental and leasing, other than real estate (e.g., vehicles, equipment for permitted sectors)
• employment activities (e.g., recruitment and placement for permitted sectors)

For these establishments, a 50% onsite work and 50% work from home arrangement would be implemented:

• real estate activities (leasing allowed)
• office administrative and office support (e.g., photocopying, billing)
• accommodation for guests (only for existing long-term bookings or bookings as of May 1 in Luzon)
• funeral and embalming services (excluding funeral parlors)
• veterinary clinics
• security and investigation activities
• other financial services (e.g., money exchange, insurance, reinsurance, and non-compulsory pension funding)
• legal and accounting
• management consultancy activities
• architecture and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis
• scientific and research development
• advertising and market research
• computer programming (e.g., writing code, designing computer systems) and information service activities (e.g., data processing)
• publishing and printing activities (e.g., newspapers, books, etc; printing on textiles, glass, etc.)
• film, music and TV production
• other activities (e.g., photography, fashion, industrial, graphic, and interior design)
• wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles. Motorcycles, and bicycles, including their parts and components repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles (including vulcanizing shops, battery repair shops, auto repair shops)
• malls and commercial centers (non-leisure only)
• dining/restaurants (no dine-in delivery and take-out only)
• clothing and accessories
• mall-based government frontline services
• hardware stores
• bookstores and school and office supplies stores
• baby care supplies stores
• pet food and pet care supplies
• IT, communications, and electronic equipment
• flower, jewelry, novelty, antique, perfume shops
• toy store (with playgrounds and amusement area closed)

Other manufacturing

• beverages (e.g. alcoholic drinks)
• electrical machinery
• wood products, furniture
• non-metallic products
• textiles / wearing apparels
• tobacco products
• paper and paper products
• rubber and plastic products
• refined petroleum products
• other non-metallic mineral products
• computer, electronic and optical products
• electrical Equipment
• Machinery and equipment
• Motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers
• Other transport equipment

Public and private construction projects that are essential (i.e., sewerage, water services facilities, digital works, health facilities) and priority (i.e., food production, agriculture, energy, housing, communication, water utilities, manufacturing, and BPO)

However, small-scale projects are not allowed.

For construction activities (public and private), the guidelines are as follows:

Prior to deployment

• only 21 to 59 yrs old without pre- existing health conditions allowed to work
• workers to be tested before starting (to funded by the contractors)
• workers housed in barracks for project duration, with segregated facilities – initial transport via private shuttle (not public transport)
• quarantine passes for onsite employees

During deployment

• safe distancing
• daily disinfection
• errands outside the construction site minimized
• mandated quarantine for all personnel returning from outside
• deliveries and disposal handled by separate team
• personal protective equipment for all employees
• safety officer to ensure compliance.

— RSJ, GMA News