New normal guidelines released for MICE sector

The Department of Tourism(DOT) has issued guidelines for the operations of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition (MICE) facilities and organizers, which aim to ensure that health and safety protocols are in place.

DOT Administrative Order 2020-003 states the guidelines for the operations of MICE organizers and venues or facilities in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) which focus on areas such as venue capacity limit, interzonal and intrazonal movement, as well as health and safety protocols.

“MICE events may be conducted in areas under modified GCQ, provided, that the total number of participants, including MICE suppliers, exhibitors, and venue oeprators, shall be limited to 50 percent of the maximum venue capacity,” the order said.

The DOT also emphasized that the conduct of MICE events and other MICErelated activities is prohibited in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and GCQ, except for those conducted through an online platform where no physical interaction among participants is involved.

In addition, the guidelines stressed that participants for the MICE events should only come from areas under MGCQ or areas not under any form of community quarantine.

DOT also issued Memorandum Circular 2020-006 which lay out the health and safety guidelines for the operations of MICE organizers and venues or facilities under the “new normal.”

Among the key guidelines for MICE facilities include the implementation of physical distancing measures, as well as proper sanitation, disinfection and ventillation of the venues.