The mayors of Metro Manila oppose the reopening of cinemas in their constituencies, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said this Sunday.
According to MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos, mayors will write to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to request that cinemas not be opened.
“Napagkasunduan po ng majority na talagang ‘wag muna, as far as cinema is concerned. Kasi po unang-una, it’s enclosed. Pangalawa, wala namang sineng 30 minutes. Matagal po yan at air-conditioned,” said MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos.
According to Abalos, although city leaders are in favor of opening up the economy, cinemas are too dangerous.
According to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, even some mall owners in their city are still considering and weighing the benefits of opening their cinema.
“Para sa kanila, even if it’s allowed, marami sa kanila ang hindi magbubukas because they don’t see that it’s really going to be, play a big part in terms of economic impact,” said Belmonte.
According to Belmonte, the Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance said that the ventilation system in theaters is not yet certain.
It is also impossible to monitor if viewers do not remove their masks and face shields while in the cinema.
Belmonte will remain open for the appeal of mall owners who want to open their cinemas.
ABS-CBN News tried to get a statement from some mall operators in Metro Manila but they did not respond.
Metro Manila mayors oppose reopening of cinemas
Last week, the IATF announced that cinemas are one of the establishments that can reopen in general community quarantine areas.
Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said the IATF authorized “the reopening and further expansion” of the following industries in GCQ areas:
- Driving schools
- Traditional cinemas
- Video and interactive-game arcades
- Libraries, archives, museums, 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
However, this will be subject to “implementing 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,” Roque said in a statement.
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