Malacañang announced Monday the suspension of cinemas in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) which was supposed to start today.
According to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the decision was made after mayors of Metro Manila expressed their opposition to the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to allow more industries to reopen.
“Hindi na po iyan mapapatupad ngayong araw at iyan po ay ipapatupad either March 1 or kung kailan po magkakaroon ng guidelines ang ating mga lokal na pamahalaan,” Roque said in an interview with state-run PTV.
The Palace official said the guidelines would address capacity requirements.
“Iyong pagbubukas po ay subject sa guidelines na sila mismo ang bubuo kasi importante na malaman kung ano ang seating capacity at ano pa iyong mga ibang requirements ng local government units,” he said in a separate radio interview.
“So, talagang hindi po binabalewala ang mga LGUs bagama’t mayroon po tayong panahon na dapat mapatupad ito, eh kung hindi naman lalabas ang guidelines eh wala rin po talagang mangyayari.”
Aside from cinemas, the IATF authorized “the reopening and further expansion” of the following industries in GCQ areas:
- Driving schools
- Traditional cinemas
- Video and interactive-game arcades
Reopening of cinemas in GCQ areas moved to March 1
- 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
Meanwhile, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro announced Monday that the local government would suspend the reopening of cinemas and arcades in the city amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a very problematic proposition. This might bring a surge in our COVID cases, not only in Marikina but in the metropolitan Manila area,” he told ANC.
“I think it’s very important that efficient and effective vaccination program [shall] first be implemented as a prerequisite in opening up economic activities.”
“I think it’s public knowledge there’s no prior consultation with the IATF with the Metro Manila mayors and that’s the reason why we are asking for a meeting in order to have a consensus on the matter and have a uniform approach with regards to easing up quarantine measures particularly in allowing cinemas to open,” he added.
