Supermarkets, pharmacies, and other retail establishments selling basic necessities can now operate up to a maximum of 12 hours to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the said places.
In a virtual presser, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said establishments catering to the basic needs of the public are encouraged to extend their operating hours for up to 12 hours amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
The said retail establishments include supermarkets, public and private wet markets, grocery stores, agri-fishery supply stores, pharmacies, and drug stores, among others.
Nograles, who is also the spokesman for the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, said local government units were directed to allow establishments to operate for 12 hours.
Meanwhile, in the operation of wet markets, LGUs are encouraged to adopt reasonable schemes to ensure compliance with strict social distancing measures, such as providing for specific daily schedules per sector, barangay, or purok.
Nograles said Wednesday that the IATF will consider the extension of store hours to avoid the congestion of people in the said establishments.
Supermarkets, grocery stores, and pharmacies were among the establishments allowed to continue operating during the quarantine period. Its employees were likewise exempted from quarantine restrictions.
RENT PAY GRACE PERIOD
Meanwhile, the 30-day grace period on residential rents provided under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act was extended to commercial rents falling due upon micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the period of the ECQ without incurring interests, penalties, fees, and other charges.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), according to Nograles, was authorized to issue the necessary guidelines to implement the said directive.
Earlier, Nograles assured small business owners that they do not have to worry for now about paying off their loans, saying there is currently a moratorium on loans extended by the DTI through its different programs. (Argyll Geducos)
