DTI holds online food fair amid strict physical distancing

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez (PIA NCR)

CALOOCAN CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The National Food Fair, an annual cuisine, beverage, and ingredients fair organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help food entrepreneurs has now been converted into an online marketplace beginning today, according to Trade Secretary Mon Lopez.

During this morning’s Laging Handa public briefing multicast by the Presidential Communications and attached government media, Lopez said this is the first time the DTI will be holding the virtual food fair, which will run until tomorrow, and utilizing online e-commerce platform Shopee. The expo, that for years supported hundreds of exhibitors from the country’s 16 regions, was originally scheduled from March 12 to 15, at the Megatrade Halls in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

“Since bawal na po muna ang mga expo at trade exhibition, ginawa natin itong online,” he said, explaining that due to the COVID-19 health emergency threat, they decided earlier to postpone the event in order to safeguard public health.

“Nakikipag-partner tayo sa iba-ibang grupo like Shopee, para mai-carry ang mga produkto ng micro-MSEs at tuloy ang kanilang kita,” he added.

Meanwhile, as some malls open today in Metro Manila amid a more relaxed “modified” enhanced community quarantine, the DTI chief said there are special minimum health protocols that should be implemented for malls and shopping centers.

“Tayo po ay nakipag-ugnayan sa karamihan ng mall operators para ma-institute natin ‘yung tamang health protocols. Meron tayong minimum health protocol sa lahat ng kompanya at meron ding special minimum health protocol para sa mga malls and commercial establishments. Ia-advise po natin na pumunta sa website ng DTI ang mga kompanya na inallow nang magbukas,” Lopez said.

“Sa malls, ang mga extra health measures po dito ay pananatilihing may maximum number ng tao na pwede lamang maaari sa buong mall o sa tindahan inside the mall. Ang rule of thumb po rito ay 1 person per 2 square meters. Kung ang isang tindahan ay 50 square meters, pwede po ang 25 na katao na maximum. Nandiyan din ang iba pang health measures tulad ng pagkuha ng temperature sa mga pumapasok, frequent sanitation, social distancing pati sa elevator at escalator, siguraduhing may mask… Magkakaroon rin ng roaming officer na mag-che-check at magpapanatili na nasusunod ang requirements,” he added. (PIA NCR)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)