Cinemas, once slated for opening last Friday, are closed again in Metro Manila due to spike in COVID-19 cases.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines had earlier announced that cinemas were back, citing the finalized Department of Trade and Industry guidelines allowing cinemas in MGCQ areas to operate at 50 percent capacity, and in GCQ areas at 25 percent capacity from Friday, March 5, onwards.
WITH rising cases of two new variants of COVID-19 in Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Council has decided not to take any chances.
In a meeting last Saturday (March 7), the council agreed to once again close cinemas and amusement arcades to control the spike in new cases.
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said the upsurge in new COVID-19 cases has become "alarming" for Metro Manila mayors.
“Sa totoo lang, ang quarantine area namin ngayon sa Oplan Kalinga ng Department of Tourism at MMDA, the ones in charge of quarantine hotels, halos 89 percent puno na kamo, mapupuno na," he said.
Abalos also reiterated the call for the public to follow the minimum health protocols.
“Importante talaga dito ay 'yung back to basic, it’s the minimum health protocols, ito ’yung face shield mask, specially distancing and of course, ’yung paghuhugas ng kamay. These three things could make a lot of difference, napaka-importante po nito,” he added.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines had earlier announced that cinemas were back, citing the finalized Department of Trade and Industry guidelines allowing cinemas in MGCQ areas to operate at 50 percent capacity, and in GCQ areas at 25 percent capacity from Friday, March 5, onwards.
As of March 5, the Department of Health has reported 118 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant from the United Kingdom, 58 cases of the B.1.135 variant from South Africa, and 85 cases of mutations with “potential clinical significance.” (ONT)