MANILA – The Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Joint Advisory No 20-01 on 22 October 2020, following the national government’s policy shift from risk avoidance to risk management to further reopen safely the economy.
One of the main provisions of the Joint Advisory is the easing of curfew hours, for areas with curfew hours from 10PM- 5AM, to 12:00MN- 4:00 a.m. This is implemented in Metro Manila, except Navotas.
The mayors have agreed on the new schedule and shall issue their respective local ordinances. Curfew exemptions for workers and essential business establishments will continue be allowed, subject to the same LGU ordinances.
Another provision is the enjoining of multiple and staggered work shifts for office establishments, while still encouraging alternative work arrangements and work-from-home set-ups.
“This will spread the volume of people reporting for work on a given day and enable easier compliance to physical distancing,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that “this move will bring back more jobs in a safe manner, and the easing of curfews will generate additional economic activities in the evening that will improve the income of workers”.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año added that “as we secure the safety of our people from the spread of the virus, we fully support the efforts to safely revive the economy and move towards a better normal, with compliance to all our health protocols”.
The Joint Advisory is part of the several measures to restimulate the economy, which was severely affected, causing unemployment and poverty to many.
Just last week, several DTI Memorandum Circulars were also issued to allow more sectors to operate from 50% to 100% capacity, while still encouraging work-from-home arrangements, as well as Circulars that ease up restrictions on commercial centers with respect to allowing sales and promotion activities, cooler temperatures, free WIFI and longer operating hours.
Nevertheless, the general public is always reminded that all this reopening is possible only if everyone strictly follows the Seven Commandments:
• Wearing of proper face masks;
• Wearing of face shields;
• No talking and no eating (in public transportation and similar setting like confined areas and crowded places);
• Adequate ventilation (use of exhaust systems, air purifiers or keeping windows partially open);
• Frequent and proper disinfection;
• Symptomatic or COVID-19 positives must be isolated; and
• Appropriate physical distancing.
The Trade Secretary called on Filipinos to follow the guidelines and have a more self-disciplined mindset to guard against COVID-19. “The transmission of the virus will definitely slow down even if we open more of the economy. Thus, this will allow more people to go back to work and generate more income, and bring back our strong momentum in reducing poverty and malnutrition”. ♦
Date of Release: 27 October 2020