Metro Manila mayors defer reopening of cinemas

RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER

 MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila mayors have opted to defer the reopening of cinemas in the region amid continuing concerns over the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairman and Parañaque City mayor Edwin Olivarez said Monday.

 “Yung cinema po ang main concern namin ng Metro Manila Council. Pumayag naman po ang ating economic team ng IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases] na i-defer yung implementation ng pagbubukas ng cinema,” Olivarez said in an interview over Teleradyo. 

 (The cinema is the main concern of the Metro Manila Council. The IATF’s economic team allowed us to defer the reopening of cinemas.)

 Olivarez said Metro Manila mayors are set to meet with the IATF’s economic team this Wednesday to further discuss the matter.

“Alam naman natin sa cinema, enclosed yan, tatlong oras sa air conditioned [area]. Questionable po yung ventilation. ‘Yan po yung apprehension ng ating LGUs sa Metro Manila,” he explained.

 (Cinemas are enclosed and you have to stay for three hours in an air conditioned area. The ventilation is questionable. That’s the apprehension of LGUs in Metro Manila.)

 Apart from cinemas, the IATF has also allowed the reopening of the following businesses in areas under general community quarantine: 

• driving schools
• 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

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