Simple quarantine protocol requested by PH entrepreneurship adviser

The cafeteria where Gemma Nombela works is just one of those frustrated with the government’s confusing policy on community quarantine status.

It is said that just a takeout order is not enough for Nombela to recover the income.

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“Excited kami kasi siyempre madadagdagan ‘yong araw ng pasok namin, magiging kompleto na… ngayon hindi na,” said Nombela.

Metro Manila was supposed to be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) with an alert level system on Wednesday. Still, it was withdrawn, and the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the capital region was extended until September 15.
According to Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, he proposed to the Inter-Agency Task Force to simplify the quarantine restrictions to be easily understood and enforced.

“If you can keep it to GCQ 1 and GCQ 2, but if you really have to, then you limit to 3 [alert] levels… huwag muna ilagay ‘yong 4,” said Concepcion.

“What will determine [a] restaurant to operate at 20 percent, at 40 percent? So I think let’s simplify it,” he added.

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Concepcion also suggested trying the “vaccine bubble” in Metro Manila even if the MECQ is extended until the end of September.

Under the “vaccine bubble,” vaccinated individuals will be given the privilege to enter certain establishments and transportation.

Simple quarantine protocol requested by PH entrepreneurship adviser

The Management Association of the Philippines is in favor of the “vaccine bubble” proposal.

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Restaurant owner Fran Lim is also in favor of the “vaccine bubble” even if it is only up to 50 percent capacity, including al-fresco or outdoor dining.

“At least may kahit konting kita ka pa… ‘yong suweldo ng mga tao. Kailangan nilang kumita, may pinapakain din sila so kailangan isipin ‘yon,” said Lim.

Like many, some Metro Manila mayors were also stunned by the government’s sudden shift to the new quarantine classification that would have been implemented in Metro Manila this Wednesday.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez says among those to be ironed out are the affiliated security forces that will implement new granular lockdown protocols.

“We need more security forces to implement granular lockdown,” he said.

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