The OCTA Research group did not agree with the government’s “risky” decision to reopen cinemas, arcades, and amusement parks in places under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
In an interview with GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali,” Professor Ranjit Rye said the government should be more careful about easing quarantine restrictions, especially now that there are already 44 cases of UK COVID-19 variant in the country.
“Ang gamechanger dito, kaya kami cautious, kasi may posibilidad na kumakalat ‘yung B.1.1.7 o yung UK variant. Kung wala po sana tayong banta na gano’n, maluwag e. Kayang kaya sigurong ma-accept ‘yung mga proposal ng IATF to loosen,” he said.
“Gaya sa sinehan, very risky ho saka hindi sang-ayon sa sensible epidemic management,” the OCTA member added.
Metro Manila mayors over the weekend said they also opposed the decision of the country’s COVID-19 task force to reopen such establishment.
According to MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos, although city leaders are in favor of opening up the economy, cinemas are too dangerous.
Reopening cinemas ‘risky’ – OCTA Research
Rye said the OCTA group support the mayors’ calls, noting that now is not the time to ease restrictions since the COVID-19 situation in Metro Manila is slowly improving.
“Sa paningin po ng mga mayor natin, isa sa mga importanteng requisite po ng pag-loosen up ‘yung sana mabakunahan ‘yung mga frontliners natin para in case magkaroon ng surge, protektado po ‘yung mga healthcare workers natin,” he said.
“Kung wala pa tayong bakuna dito sa NCR para sa frontline workers natin, health workers and nurses, ay sana naman ipagpaliban muna natin lahat ng desisyon na i-loosen yung restrictions dito.”
Earlier, Malacañang announced 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.