For almost 10 months, we’ve gotten used to learning new skills and doing work through virtual means while on lockdown. Online courses, virtual training, webinars and workshops aired over Facebook became our default mode for work and leisure. But that might change soon.

On Dec. 4, Malacañang announced that in-person or face to face workshops, training and seminars are now allowed in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ). However, these events must operate at only 30 percent venue capacity.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque added that in-person official gatherings like conferences, board meetings, colloquia, conclaves, symposia and consumer trade shows are now allowed as well. According to Roque, these events can be held in venues like restaurants, the atrium of malls, and hotel ballrooms, restaurants and function halls.

Additional guidelines will later be issued by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade and Industry, as directed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Heads up!

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended anew the implementation of general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila and other parts of the country for the entire month of December. https://t.co/iouvS3yiT2 pic.twitter.com/mr3wUc0MqU

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) November 30, 2020

Currently, Metro Manila, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan and Davao City are under GCQ until Dec. 31, while the rest of the country is under modified general community quarantine.

As of Dec. 3, there are 27,642 active COVID-19 cases with 1,061 new cases added on Dec. 3, making up a total of 435,413 cases in the country.

Header photo by ICSA from Pexels

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