As economy slumps, Philippines lets eateries reopen to recoup job losses

MANILA, June 16 (Reuters) - The Philippines is getting back
to business after one of the world's strictest coronavirus
lockdowns spanning nearly three months, allowing restaurants to
reopen this week for dine-in customers in an effort to keep
people in work.
Eateries in the capital Manila that can meet government
safety protocols were allowed to reopen from Monday at 30% of
their seating capacity, with strict hygiene and social
distancing measures a must.
That won't be a problem for Lalaine Baja, even though her
streetside Manila restaurant that serves Filipino favourites had
only a trickle of diners on Tuesday.
"We are thankful when even one or two customers eat at our
restaurant," she said. "Since customers now have the option to
dine in, our sales have been gradually picking up."
The Philippines has so far reported 26,781 infections and
1,103 fatalities due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new
coronavirus. That's the third-highest death toll in East Asia
after China and Indonesia.
Metro Manila has been under lockdown since March 16, but
restrictions have been loosened since June 1 after some grim
forecasts for a normally resilient economy and record April
unemployment of 17.7%. Televised video footage showed happy staff at restaurants
cleaning tables and cutlery, with some wearing masks and face
shields and others in full-length protective suits and latex
gloves.
Customers will be required to sit diagonally, or with a
transparent plastic panel between them.
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday some restrictions
would remain in place in Manila for a further two weeks because
the threat of contagion remained. These include bans on
gatherings and sports, partial curbs on public transportation,
and stay-at-home orders for the elderly. His trade minister, Ramon Lopez, said the only way to get
the economy going without risking further outbreaks of the virus
would be through modified restaurants and the restricted
reopening of barber shops, salons and malls.
"It is to our interest in government to really find that
healthy balance in bringing back jobs while ensuring health
protocols are followed," he said.