MANILA - Select businesses will be allowed to operate in Metro Manila starting May 16, when the COVID-19 lockdown starts to ease for the first time in 2 months, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Wednesday.

Metro Manila, Laguna and Cebu City will be downgraded to modified enhanced community quarantine from May 16 until May 31. The lockdown started March 17 and was extended thrice, on course to be among the longest in the world.

• 'Modified' lockdown set in Metro Manila, 2 other areas
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Businesses that will be allowed to operate can do so with half of their workforce on site and the other half working from home, Roque said.

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Category 1. Businesses/activities allowed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ):

• Agriculture, forestry and fisheries
• Manufacturing of essential goods ( food and beverage), hygiene (soap, detergent, disinfectant), medicines and vitamins, medical products (masks), pet food, feeds and fertilizers
• Hospitals and clinics
• Essential retail (groceries, markets, drugs stores)
• Laundry shops
• Food preparation and water refilling: take out and delivery
• Logistics service providers (cargo, warehousing, trucking, shipping line)

Category 2. Businesses/activities allowed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ):

• Manufacturing (beverage, electrical machinery, wood, non-metallic products, textiles, tobacco products, paper products, rubber and plastic products, refined petroleum products, computer, electronics and optical products electrical equipment, machinery, motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, other transport equipment) = Partially allowed
• Cement and steel
• Mining and quarrying
• Electronic commerce companies
• Export-oriented companies
• Real estate activities: Partially allowed
• Essential public and private construction projects (sewerage, water services facilities, health facilities) and priority (food production, agriculture, energy, housing, communication, water utilities, manufacturing and BPO) = Partially allowed, small scale projects prohibited
• Repair of computers and personal household goods
• Housing Services activities
• Office administrative and office support (photocopying, billing) = Partially allowed
• Special purpose accommodation for healthcare workers, OFWs, workers in permitted sectors and non-OFWs with mandated quarantine
• Accommodation for guests = Partially allowed only for existing long-term booking as of May 1 in Luzon
• Funeral and embalming services = Partially allowed excluding funeral parlors
• Veterinary clinics = Partially allowed
• Security and investigation activities = Partially allowed
• Business Process Outsourcing
• Banks, money transfer, services, microfinance institutions, pawnshops and credit cooperatives
• Capital markets
• Money exchange, insurance, reinsurance and non-compulsary pension fund = Partially allowed
• Legal and accounting = Partially allowed
• Management consultancy activities = Partially allowed
• Architecture and engineering activities = Partially allowed
• Scientific research and development = Partially allowed

Category 3. Businesses/activities allowed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ):

• Advertising and market research = Partially allowed
• Computer programming = Partially allowed
• Publishing and printing activities = Partially allowed
• Film, music and TV production = Partially allowed
• Rental, leasing other than real estate (vehices, equipment for permitted sectors)
• Employment activities (recruitment)
• Photography, fashion, industrial, graphic and interior design = Partially allowed
• Wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles including parts = Partially allowed
• Repair of motor vehicles (vulcanizing, battery, auto repair) = Partially allowed
• Malls and commercial centers (non-leisure) = Partially allowed
• Restaurants = Partially allowed, delivery and take out
• Hardware stores = Partially allowed
• Clothing and accessories = Partially allowed
• Mall-based government frontline services = Partially allowed
• Bookstores = Partially allowed
• Baby care supplies store = Partially allowed
• Pet food and care supplies = Partially allowed
• IT, communications and electronic equipment = Partially allowed
• Flower, jewelry, novelty, antique, perfume shops = Partially allowed
• Toy stores (playgroups, amusement areas closed) = Partially allowed

Activities prohibited in modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) areas:

• Barbershops and salons
• Gyms and sports facilities
• Entertainment industries (cinema, theaters, karaoke bars)
• Kid amusement industries
• Libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers
• Tourist destinations (beach, parks, resorts)
• Travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service
• Personal care services