POGOs allowed to partially reopen
Offshore gaming operators can resume activity but with just 30 per cent of their workforce.
Philippines.- Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have been given the green light to partially reopen despite the on-going Coronavirus pandemic.
POGOs have been given the government’s consent to open to around 30 per cent of their workforce to resume operations in areas that are placed under general enhanced community quarantine.
The announcement is a reversal in policy announced last week that restricted POGOs from operating while quarantine measures are in place.
In an interview with dzMM, Presidential Spokesperson, Harry Roque, said: “The 30 per cent of POGOs’ workforce must undergo testing before reporting for work. Let PAGCOR decide. They have the details.
“The way I understand it, the gambling in POGOs is not done here but abroad. POGO centers, like BPOs, only established their hardware and software here.
“POGOs are allowed under ECQ and GCQ. And POGOs are part of BPOs. Thirty per cent [of their] workforce [are] all subjected to Covid-19 tests, BIR clearance, PAGCOR clearance. And proceeds of government collection [will] go to Covid-19 expenditures.”
Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte, recently extended enhanced community quarantine measures in certain parts of the country to May 15.
