Easing of Restrictions for Airlines, Barbershops, and Hair Salons in the Philippines

Strategic Insights -

Philippines will allow nonessential travel and tourism starting this month, and relax restrictions on grooming services such as barbershops and hair salons in general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ (MGCQ) areas. Filipinos may leave the country for tourism, but must comply with five requirements, including having roundtrip tickets and adequate travel health insurance, and must execute a waiver on the risks of traveling. Barbershops and hair salons in GCQ areas may operate at 30-percent capacity until July 15, and will increase to 50 percent by July 16. In MGCQ areas, these establishments may offer a range of services, including haircutting, hair treatments, and nail care, at 50-percent capacity until July 15, and will increase to 75 percent by July 16.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has lifted the suspension of nonessential travel and all travel restrictions on outbound travel, effective 15 days after the publication of IATF Resolution No. 52 in the Official Gazette.
  • Filipinos going on nonessential travel outside of the country must comply with five requirements: submitting confirmed round-trip tickets, getting adequate travel and health insurance, securing entry permission from the destination country, executing a declaration acknowledging the risks of travel, and following guidelines on homebound overseas Filipinos upon return to the country.
  • The Department of Trade and Industry has updated guidelines on grooming services, including barbershops and salons, which are allowed to operate at 30-percent capacity until July 15 in GCQ areas and 50 percent capacity until July 15 in MGCQ areas.
  • By July 16, the operating capacity of barbershops and salons in GCQ areas will be increased to 50 percent, and to 75 percent in MGCQ areas.
  • The establishments must implement mandatory health standards and protocols, including no face mask, no entry policy, thermal scanning, and proper ventilation and sanitation.
  • Barbershops and hair salons in MGCQ areas may offer a range of services, including haircutting, hair treatments, and nail care, at 50-percent capacity until July 15, and will increase to 75 percent by July 16.

Statistics:

  • Philippines will allow nonessential travel and tourism starting this month.
  • The IATF resolution will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
  • The amount for travel insurance will be determined by the Department of Tourism.
  • 30-percent capacity until July 15 for barbershops and hair salons in GCQ areas.
  • 50 percent capacity until July 15 for barbershops and hair salons in MGCQ areas.
  • 75 percent capacity by July 16 for barbershops and hair salons in MGCQ areas.

Sources:

  • IATF Resolution No. 52 (Official Gazette)
  • Department of Trade and Industry's updated guidelines on grooming services
  • Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
  • Philippine News Agency (PNA)