Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez on Monday said that work from home arrangements will become optional in areas under the relaxed Alert Level 1 next month amid the decreasing numbers of Covid-19 infections in the country.
Lopez said during an interview with GMA’s Unang Balita, onsite work is “encouraged” under Alert Level 1.
“Ie-encourage ‘yung onsite work [under Alert Level 1], ibig sabihin less na yung work from home, magiging optional na yung work from home,” he said.
He is expecting that his move will boost businesses, such as stores and restaurants with more people going out of their homes.
“Ang maganda dito kapag pumapasok na uli yung mga tao physically, nabubuhay yung mga restaurants at yung mga tindahan, yung mga stores, kasi nasa labas yung mga tao at wala na sa bahay,” he said.
The National Capital Region (NCR) and several other areas in the country will be placed under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15, 2022.
Under Alert Level 1, all establishments, persons, or activities are permitted to operate at 100% capacity. Lopez added that vaccination requirements will stay for indoor activities.
“Magbubukas ang ekonomiya but less ang restrictions,” Lopez said.
The trade chief added that intrazonal and interzonal travel requirements will also be decreased.
“Wala na yung requirement na RT-PCR, yung mga PNP clearance. Pero malaking bagay pa rin yung vaccination card,” Lopez said. Ronald Espartinez