Metro Manila mayors have decided to postpone the reopening of cinemas amid the threat of new COVID-19 variants.
Metro Manila Council Chairman Edwin Olivarez the local chief executives in the National Capital Region have expressed their opposition on the reopening of cinemas.
“The sentiment of all mayors, we have apprehension on the opening of cinemas. We would defer the implementation of the opening of cinemas,” he told CNN Philippines.
“Hold muna. We have a discussion with Secretary Harry and Secretary Lopez na ide-defer muna [that we will defer] ang implementation regarding the opening of these particular activity centers in the whole Metro Manila,” he added.
The Inter-Agency Task Force announced on February 12 that cinemas and other leisure activities in areas under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity.
Olivarez said mayors are worried to reopen cinemas because these are air-conditioned and enclosed, possibly triggering further COVID-19 spread in Metro Manila which remains as the epicenter of the virus.
Infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante explained these places have ventilation problems, which may aggravate the transmission of COVID-19.
