NCR cinemas may open starting Oct 16 as metro shifts to COVID Alert Level 3

FILE PHOTO: A worker cleans a cinema on July 20, 2020. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Cinemas and movie houses may already operate when Metro Manila eases to Alert Level 3 starting Saturday, October 16.

Under the updated guidelines on the pilot implementation of the government’s new COVID-19 alert level system, cinemas and movie houses are allowed to operate under Alert Level 3 at a maximum of 30% indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity.

All cinemas and movie house workers and employees should also be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as minimum public health standards should be strictly followed.

Limited face-to-face classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training are also allowed under Alert Level 3.

The following establishments or activities are likewise allowed to operate under Alert Level 3 with the above-stated conditions:

• Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions;
• Permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers;
• Visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like;
• Amusement parks or theme parks;
• Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues;
• In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 and for the cremains of the COVID-19 deceased;
• Licensure or entrance or qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject to the health and safety guidelines as approved by the IATF;
• Dine-in services in food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols;
• Personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options, subject to the sector-specific protocols of the DTI;
• Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for non-contact exercise and sports, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols. Provided that patrons/clients and workers/employees wear face masks at all times and that no group activities are conducted; and
• Film, music, and television production, subject to the joint guidelines as may be issued by the DTI, DOLE, and the DOH

Meanwhile, government agencies and offices should remain fully operational and adhere to at least 30% on-site capacity while applying work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements.

The following establishments, on the other hand, are still prohibited from operating under the COVID-19 Alert Level 3:

• Face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education, except those previously approved by the IATF and/or the Office of the President;
• Contact sports, except those conducted under a bubble-type setup as provided for under relevant guidelines adopted by the IATF, Games and Amusement Board, and Philippine Sports Commission, and approved by the LGU where such games shall be held;
• Funfairs/peryas and kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;
• Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters;
• Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments except as may be authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President; and
• Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household

Under Alert Level 3, intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed subject to reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities, as may be determined by the local government units, which should not be stricter than the prescribed rules under Alert Level 4.

The government also reiterated that individuals below eighteen years old and those belonging to the vulnerable population should still be allowed access to obtain essential goods and services, or to work in permitted industries and offices.

Individual outdoor exercises should likewise be allowed for all ages regardless of comorbidities or vaccination status.

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