Cinemas, arcades in Marikina remain suspended — Teodoro

Strict social distancing measures and disinfection are being implemented during the reopening of SM City Taytay’s cinema on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, in Rizal province. The cinema reopening comes 7 months after its closure due to community quarantine imposed by the government amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The municipality of Taytay and the province of Rizal shifted to modified general community quarantine, allowing cinemas and other businesses to resume operations. Moviegoers are encouraged to wear their face masks and face shields at all times. RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro has issued an executive order suspending the reopening of cinemas and arcades in the city until the coronavirus vaccine program has been rolled out and until the number of Covid-19 cases has decreased.

“Sa Marikina, ako’y naglabas ng executive order kahapon na mananatiling sarado ang mga sinehan at mga katulad na establishment nito, yung mga laruan ng bata, lalo na yung mga enclosed area,” Teodoro said in an interview over Teleradyo on Tuesday.

(In Marikina, I issued an executive order yesterday that cinemas, any similar establishment, and arcades will remain closed.)

Asked what would change his mind to consider the reopening of cinemas and arcades in Marikina City, Teodoro said: “Bakuna. Dapat anumang efforts natin ngayon e nakatuon dun sa maagang implementation ng ating vaccination plan.”

(Vaccine. Our efforts should be focused on the early implementation of the vaccination plan.)

A decreasing number of Covid-19 cases would also be a factor in reopening such establishments in the city, according to the mayor.

“Ang nakakatakot dito, maaaring mababa na ang kaso ng Covid sa isang lungsod, e kung magbubukas tayo ng sinehan baka maging dahilan ito para sa pagkalat ng numero ng Covid, maging super spreader,” he said.

(What’s scary is, the number of Covid-19 cases in a city is  decreasing but then we open cinemas and it could lead to spike in cases, a super spreader.)

“Yung gains natin, kung anumang benepisyo ang nakuha natin dun sa mga pagla-lockdown natin nung mga nakaraang panahon, baka mabalewala dahil nga dito sa hindi lubos na napag-isipin at napag-ingatang desisyon na buksan ang cinema,” he added.

(Our gains and benefits from the imposition of lockdown in the past could be wasted because of the not well thought of decision to reopen cinemas.)

Earlier, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed the reopening of movie theaters.

The reopening was initially allowed on Feb. 15 but after Metro Manila mayors complained that they have not been consulted about the decision, Malacañang said it would be moved to March 1 to make way for consultation and the crafting of guidelines.

EDV