Majority of Metro Manila mayors are opposing the reopening of cinemas primarily because they are worried that it could trigger a spike in COVID-19 cases.
MANILA, Philippines- WORRIED about the possibility of sudden uncontrolled spike of COVID-19 cases, Metro Manila mayors today expressed opposition to the reopening of cinemas in their jurisdictions.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said the mayors are actually drafting a formal notice opposing the national government's decision to allow the resumption of operations of movie theaters in areas under general community quarantine.
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," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.
"Halos wala namang nagpo-produce ng sine ngayon," he added.
For his part, Abalos said he personally supports the reopening of the economy, but urged that it be done in a calibrated and calculated manner.
"Tingnan natin, unti-untiin natin kung walang spike. Nakakatakot dito mag-spike. Mahirap bumalik sa dati. Eto na yung bakuna eh," he said.
This, as health authorities said they reported 547,255 total coronavirus cases on Saturday, with 34,967 active infections.