by Willem James Banaynal III
On Wednesday, October 13, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved the easing of quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila, with the region shifting from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 .
Metro Manila will be placed under Alert Level 3 from October 16 to 31 where establishments such as cinemas will be allowed to resume operations, given that they adhere to protocols and guidelines released by the IATF.
With regards to the protocols given, cinemas will be allowed to open up to a maximum of 30% indoor capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals, including the workers.
Approval from the local government units (LGUs) of the said establishments and Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) shall be strictly observed.
According to Charmaine Bauzon, President of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP), individuals entering the cinemas must be seated at least one seat apart while still wearing their face masks. Eating inside the venue is also prohibited.
Trade Undersecretary Ireneo Vizomonte also stated that the owners of movie theatres must secure proper ventilation before the reopening of these establishments to the public.
As Philippine cinemas have been allowed to resume operations for the first time since their shutdown last March 2020, the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP) also released a statement regarding the matter.
In the official statement, CEAP expressed their gratitude towards the IATF, Go Negosyo Team, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as well as LGUs for their support and guidance throughout the reopening of cinemas in Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, other areas such as Cebu City have also begun studying how to safely reopen their cinemas and other amusement venues, as announced by Councilor Joel Garganera, head of the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Monday, October 18.
With the area currently under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), Garganera explained that the preparation for cinemas to resume operations is part of the city’s effort to revive its economy and film industry, as well as a way to observe whether the general public can practice self-regulation with minimal supervision from the local government.
References:
Asilo, R. (2021, October 18). Cinema operators to moviegoers on reopening of movie houses:
We’re as excited as you are, but…. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved from https://entertainment.inquirer.net/424277/cinema-operators-to-moviegoers-on-reopening-of-movie-houses-were-as-excited-as-you-are-but
Aning, J. (2021, October 14). NCR eases to Alert Level 3; travel curbs also relaxed. Philippine
Daily Inquirer. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1501609/ncr-eases-to-alert-level-3-travel-curbs-also-relaxed?covid-19-update
CNN Philippines Staff. (2021, October 14). What to expect when cinemas reopen. CNN
Philippines. Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/10/14/guidelines-reopening-of-cinemas.html
Erram, M. (2021, October 18). Cebu City now looking into reopening of cinemas, amusement
activities. Cebu Daily News. Retrieved from https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/406681/cebu-city-now-looking-into-reopening-of-cinemas-amusement-activities
Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Diseases. (2021, October 13).
GUIDELINES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALERT LEVELS SYSTEM FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE IN PILOT AREAS. Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2021/09sept/20211013-IATF-Guidelines-RRD.pdf
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