Metro Manila mayors oppose reopening of cinemas

METRO Manila mayors opposed an order by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID)’s that will ease restrictions in cinemas, citing possible risks in the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in enclosed spaces.

According to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., they objected to the reopening of these establishments in the meeting held on Thursday despite calls from the government’s economic cluster to loosen up on restrictions to open up the economy.

“Kami po ay nakikiisa, it is just that karamihan po ng posisyon dito, we cannot be just drastic, lalo na dito sa NCR [National Capital Region], baka pwedeng gradual lang naman, (While we are cooperating [with the calls to loosen up the economy], it is just that most of the position [of the mayors] were ‘we cannot be just drastic’, especially here in NCR, maybe we can have a gradual [reopening], ” Abalos said in an interview with news channel OnePH on Friday night.

Abalos said that the Metro Manila Council (MMC) is now discussing how it would appeal the IATF’s order.

“Eto pong sa sinehan, medyo pinag-uusapan po namin ngayon, kasi po enclosed eh, tapos baka umikot ang virus, medyo hesitant po kami dyan (Regarding cinemas, we are discussing this right now, as they are enclosed areas and the virus may circulate, that is why we are hesitant) as far as the moviehouses are concerned, ” Abalos said.

He added that he has no issues in the reopening of other venues such as arcades, libraries, museums and other leisure areas, but the country cannot afford to have case surges.

“Nakikiisa kami sa IATF, it is just that there are certain activities, tulad ng sinehan, medyo question mark kami dito (We are one with the IATF, it is just that the loosening up of restrictions on certain activities, such as opening cinemas, are questionable), ” Abalos said.