DTI suggests starting at 20% cinema capacity for LGUs wary of reopening

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) wary of reopening cinemas may begin allowing just 20 percent capacity of its operations to help more Filipinos return to their livelihoods, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez suggested Friday.

“In cinemas, we’re saying kung hindi comfortable po lalo na ang LGUs, then umpisa tayo sa 20 percent, umpisa tayo sa 30 percent,” Lopez said in a televised briefing.

(If LGUs are not comfortable in reopening cinemas, them let’s start at 20 percent or 30 percent.)

“Ang ikinaiba po nito, pag bukas yung cinema, merong trabaho, suswelduhan yung mga taong nagtratrabaho,” he added.

(The difference when we reopen cinemas, we open jobs, we give income to those who work here.)

The reopening of cinemas in general community quarantine (GCQ) was moved to March after Metro Manila mayors expressed concern that this might increase transmission of the new coronavirus.

Lopez said the Department of Trade and Industry along with the Department of Health already forwarded to LGUs a draft implementing guidelines for the reopening of cinemas.

“Ito po yung mga pagsuot pa rin ng mask habang nanonood, yung pag sanitize ng buong sinehan in between shows, yung pagbigay ng magandang ventilation para ang air circulation ay may pumapasok, lumalabas, hindi nakukulob sa sinehan,” he explained.

(Guidelines include wearing of masks while watching, sanitizing the cinemas in between shows and allowing good ventilation inside cinemas.)

Lopez said they are awaiting LGUs’ feedback or additional protocols to be included in the guidelines.

EDV