SMX Center resumes operations

SMX Convention Center, the largest privately-owned meetings and conventions facility in the country, has already re-opened after months of closure due to COVID-19 lockdown.

In a statement, the company, owned by the Sy family, announced that it has already started its modified business operations after the lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) across different parts of the country.

SMX Convention Center Manila, along with SMX Aura, Megatrade Hall, SMX Davao, SMX Bacolod, Cebu Trade Hall, Sky Hall and SMX Olongapo, all temporarily closed and ceased staging events for clients from March to May as the Philippine government placed many areas in the country on lockdown.

“Although it might take a while, before all event gatherings resume, SMX Convention Center maintains a positive outlook for the rest of the year,” SMX Convention said.

SMX Convention assured that as it opens for business and resume booking events, it will be enforcing preventive measures for pre-event coordination and during event proper.

“The preventive measures being undertaken can be overwhelming to some if not many, but it is the best way to show its clients that SMX will always place its guests and employees’ safety and security as a top priority. Getting back into business with a flexible system and proper guidelines will always be consciously enforced to help clients and accredited partners ease into normalcy amidst the pandemic,” the company said.

Starting with its own employees, SMX Convention’s management required all personnel to undergo mass testing for COVID19 through Project Antibody Rapid Kit testing (ARK) and get clearance prior to reporting for work.

The Project ARK test, an initiative of GO Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion, aims to boost mass testing in order to safely put the economy back in place.

Meanwhile, practicing physical distancing is also being properly observed in the facility, the company said.

Guests’ and employees’ temperature are likewise being checked by Security personnel, while shoes are disinfected on the foot bath sliders before they enter the building and tires of vehicles are sprayed with disinfectant upon entry.

Hand sanitizers are installed at all points of entry in the building and a “No Face Mask No Entry” policy is enforced as well.

Under the New Normal bill, all preventive measures in effect will be continuously practiced and observed at all times to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

“Accredited caterers and their food servers are closely monitored by SMXCC’s own Food Hygienist to ensure careful and proper food handling while still observing physical distancing,” it added.