After pushing for reopening businesses further to shore up the economy, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is now in favor of scaling back some business activities, as COVID-19 cases have drastically risen in recent days.

In a statement on Thursday, March 18, Lopez, who tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time, said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is supporting the temporary closure of the following businesses for the next two weeks in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ):

• Driving schools
• Cinemas
• Gaming arcades
• Museums
• Cultural centers
• Limited social events in establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism

The DTI is also proposing to limit meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions to 30% capacity.

Lopez added that the agency wants to reduce venue capacity in GCQ areas back to 50%, particularly in restaurants, cafes, and personal care services.

The current proposal is quite similar to the modified enhanced community quarantine, a lockdown classification one notch higher than GCQ, but Lopez was not explicit on this. (READ: EXPLAINER: What’s modified ECQ and modified GCQ?)

A memorandum circular will be released on Friday, March 19.

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Lopez appealed to people to avoid crowded places.

He also urged establishments to improve ventilation by opening windows and doors, and adding air purifiers.

Experts studying the coronavirus outbreak in the Philippines said virus epicenter Metro Manila is experiencing a “serious surge” in COVID-19 cases.

The Philippines now has 640,984 confirmed COVID-19 cases after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 5,290 new cases on Thursday.

Of the total cases, 66,567 are active – the highest since September 19, 2020, when there were 68,645 active cases. – Rappler.com