The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday welcomed the expanded indoor seating capacity for fully vaccinated persons in establishments in the National Capital Region.

Based on the latest Inter-Agency Task Force resolution, indoor dine-in services are now allowed 20 percent seating capacity, with an additional 10 percent for establishments granted a Safety Seal by the government.

The DOT noted that the allowed seating for outdoor dining remains at 30 percent but may increase by an additional 10 percent if the restaurant is also a Safety Seal recipient.

“It is worth noting that the IATF-EID backed the proposal as 99 percent of tourism workers employed in DOT-accredited hotels and restaurants in Metro Manila have been inoculated against Covid-19,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

“We are confident with the cooperation of our tourism stakeholders — guests, workers and hotel and restaurant operators — to ensure the safe reopening of restaurants to a higher number of guests by strictly observing the new seating capacity,” she added.

Romulo-Puyat also encouraged the public to patronize DOT-accredited establishments as their employees are already vaccinated and their operations are strictly monitored by the Department to ensure the observance of health and safety protocols.

Metro Manila remains under Alert Level 4 until October 15. (PNA)