Businesses allowed to resume operations in MECQ areas

May 15, 2020

Businesses allowed to resume operations in MECQ areas

MANILA, Philippines — Select businesses will be allowed to resume operations in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting May 16, Malacañang announced Wednesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, noted that some businesses may only employ half of its workforce on site while the other half must work from home.

Metro Manila, Laguna, and Cebu City were the three areas eased to MECQ from May 16 to 31.

As presented by the Palace official, the following are allowed to reopen businesses in areas under MECQ provided that safety protocols are observed:

Category 1:

Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
Manufacturing of essential goods (food and beverages), hygiene (soap, detergent, disinfectant), medicines and vitamins, medical products (masks), pet food, feeds, and fertilizers
Hospitals and clinics
Essential retail (groceries, markets, drugs stores)
Laundry shops
Food preparation and water refilling (take out and delivery)
Logistics service providers (cargo, warehousing, trucking, shipping line)
Delivery services
Utilities: power, energy, water, telecom, aircon, water collection/supply, waste management, sewerage (except septic tank emptying but including pest control, garbage control, etc.)
Repair and installation of machinery and equipment
Telecommunication companies
Energy companies
Gasoline stations
Construction workers accredited by the DPWH to work on facilities for healthcare and risk reduction
Manufacturing companies and suppliers of products necessary for construction
Media establishments

Category 2:

Manufacturing (beverage, electrical machinery, wood, non-metallic products, textiles, tobacco products, paper products, rubber and plastic products, refined petroleum products, computer, electronics, and optical products electrical equipment, machinery, motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, other transport equipment) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Cement and steel
Mining and quarrying
Electronic commerce companies
Export-oriented companies
Real estate activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Essential public and private construction projects (sewerage, water services facilities, health facilities) and priority (food production, agriculture, energy, housing, communication, water utilities, manufacturing, and BPO) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home; small scale projects prohibited
Repair of computers and personal household goods
Housing Services activities
Office administrative and office support (photocopying, billing) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Special purpose accommodation for healthcare workers, OFWs, workers in permitted sectors and non-OFWs with mandated quarantine
Accommodation for guests – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home; Only for existing long-term booking as of May 1 in Luzon
Funeral and embalming services = Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home; excluding funeral parlors
Veterinary clinics – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Security and investigation activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Banks, money transfer, services, microfinance institutions, pawnshop, and credit cooperatives
Capital markets
Money exchange, insurance, reinsurance, and non-compulsory pension fund – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Legal and accounting -Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Management consultancy activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Architecture and engineering activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Scientific research and development – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home

Category 3:

Advertising and market research – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Computer programming – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Publishing and printing activities – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Film, music and TV production – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Rental, leasing other than real estate (vehicles, equipment for permitted sectors)
Employment activities (Recruitment)
Photography, fashion, industrial, graphic and interior design – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles including parts – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Repair of motor vehicles (vulcanizing, battery, auto repair) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Malls and commercial centers (non-leisure) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Restaurants – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home, delivery and take out
Hardware stores – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Clothing and accessories – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Mall-based government frontline services – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Bookstores and school and office supplies stores – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Baby care supplies store – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Pet food and care supplies – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
IT, communications and electronic equipment – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Flower, jewelry, novelty, antique, perfume shops – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home
Toy stores (playgroups, amusement areas closed) – Partially allowed / 50% onsite, 50% work from home