Cinemas, limited tourist attractions in GCQ areas OK to reopen soon

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s Covid-19 task force has allowed the reopening of more businesses like cinemas, museums, and tourist attractions such as theme parks in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Malacañang said Friday.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has specifically allowed the reopening of the following businesses:

• driving schools
• traditional cinemas, and video and interactive-game arcades
• libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers
• meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions
• limited social events at credited establishments of the Department of Tourism
• limited tourist attractions, such as parks, theme parks, natural sites and historical landmarks.

“Yes, para po sa GCQ areas po ito. Dahil sa MGCQ, talaga naman pong 50 percent capacity ‘yung mga ganyang negosyo,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

(Yes, this is for GCQ areas because, in MGCQ areas, these businesses are already allowed at 50 percent capacity.)

Roque noted that the reopening of these businesses will still be subject to “guidelines which will provide for the operational capacity, and oversight of the appropriate regulatory agency and the concerned local government units where these businesses/industries are located.”

“It is subject to the final guidelines to be issued nga po ng ating DOH [Department of Health] at ng ating mga local government units. At ang effectivity po nito and I understand magkakaroon na naman ng guidelines, will be the 15th of February,” Roque said.

(It is subject to the final guidelines to be issued by our DOH and our local government units. And its effectivity, I understand there will be guidelines soon, will be the 15th of February.)

“Sigurado po ‘yan, nandyan ‘yung social distancing, nandyan kung ano ‘yung isusuot na mga nanonood ng sine,” he said, referring to health protocols when going to cinemas.

(I’m sure, they will still require social distancing and what the cinema-goers must wear. Let’s wait for the details to be issued by the Department of Health and local government units.)

The IATF has also eased restrictions on religious gatherings in GCQ areas from the previous 30 percent capacity to 50 percent capacity starting February 15.

Roque also explained the considerations behind the IATF decision, saying there is no increase in the country’s attack rate or the number of virus cases over the total population and the country’s bed utilization rate remains stable.

“‘Yung mga nabuksan po nating industriya, marami pong nagtrtrabaho dyan na matagal nang walang hanapbuhay, ngayon po makakapag hanapbuhay na sila muli,” he added.

(Many workers in the industry we reopened have long lost their livelihoods and now they can finally return to work again.)

KGA