MANILA, Philippines — Senior citizens in Makati City will temporarily not be enjoying their free movies as the city government has started implementing measures that will protect them from contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Makati Mayor Abby Binay has ordered the temporary suspension of the Blu Card program which offers allows senior residents to watch movies for free in any of the city’s movie houses.
“With the end in view of protecting the health of the elderly and to ensure their safety in the ensuing COVID-19 outbreak, I have ordered the temporary suspension of free movie passes to Blu Card holders effective immediately,” Binay said in a statement.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III already called for a ban in watching movies in theaters to strictly comply with social distancing — a health protocol for COVID-19.
The mayor’s directive has been sent to different malls in Makati City.
To date, the Philippine health department said COVID-19 cases in the country are now at 52, with five recorded deaths. COVID-19 is caused by a new coronavirus, which originates from Wuhan City in China’s Hubei province.
The coronavirus causes mild symptoms but it also causes serious illness such as pneumonia for the elderly and those with existing health conditions.