With the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine over Luzon until April 30, 2020, there’s a bit of good news: extended retail hours for essential goods and services.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released Memorandum Circular 20-08 which allows all supermarkets, groceries, public markets, pharmaceutical and drug stores, and retailers of basic necessities and commodities covered by Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan Heal As One Act to extend their retail hours for up to 12 hours.

Separately, under Memorandum Circular 20-16, the DTI is now expanding the scope of essential products to include pet food and hygiene products such as shampoos. Therefore, these businesses (including the supply and manufacturing of their raw materials) are now allowed to operate. That said, companies are advised to provide workers temporary on-site or near-site accommodations (maximum radius of 5 kilometers from manufacturing site) and shuttle services to limit the movement of people.

Furthermore, delivery services of pet food as well as hardware products are now allowed as well under the revised DTI guidelines.

The DTI says that all Local Government Units or LGUs must abide by the DTI Memorandum Circular.