Iloilo Province Allows Dine-in and Opening of Salons Under MECQ

Good news! Iloilo province allows dine-in and salons. The province of Iloilo retained its modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status until October 15. Dine-in options in restaurants and eateries and the opening of salons and parlors are allowed by the provincial government under MECQ status. Iloilo Province is included among the 11 areas under MECQ until October 15 as mandated by the national government’s task force. [1]

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. amended the restrictions in his Executive Order No. 305-D by extending the effectiveness of Executive Order No. 305. [2] According to the EO, kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, eateries, and other food establishments can resume dine-in services or indoor seating with restrictions and a seating capacity of 10%. Outdoor or alfresco dining options are also allowed, at 50% seating capacity.

The EO also states that beauty salons, parlors, nail salons, and barbershops can reopen and resume operations with a seating capacity of 30%.

As for hotels and other accommodation facilities, the EO states that these establishments may accommodate guests as long as they are under these guidelines: isolation facilities, quarantine hotels, and other regular hotels.

Defensor said some establishments should not be allowed to operate, whatever these other subsidiary establishments’ nature. Other facilities within an accommodation establishment, such as spas, bars, gyms, function halls, and others, are still not allowed to resume operations.

The following activities, facilities, and establishments are still not permitted to open, operate, or be undertaken: entertainment venues with performers, karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, movie theatres; recreational venues, internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, and the like, amusement venues, theme parks, fairs, playgrounds, and playrooms, outdoor attractions, public beaches, and resorts, indoor sports courts, fitness studios, other indoor leisure centers, halls for meetings, conferences, and the like, personal care facilities, medical aesthetic clinics, derma clinics, makeup salons, wellness and holistic centers, massage therapy establishments, tattoo services, and body piercings establishments, and other similar facilities. Home services of the following are also not allowed. [3]

The governor added that establishments that wish to operate are urged to apply for a Safety Seal. [4] The Safety Seal Certification is a voluntary complaisance among establishments. This certification affirms establishments’ compliance with the government’s public health standards to protect the clients and personnel.

Visit Yoorekka Consumer Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Iloilo!

All details and information in this article are true and accurate as of the publication date. However, while we are making our utmost effort to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the condition surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be unpredictable, and the situation develops rapidly. Hence, some information and recommendations may have changed since this article was published. For the latest advice, visit DOH and your LGU's official websites.