Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — More businesses with indoor activities have been allowed to operate at limited capacity in Metro Manila, but the possible reopening of cinemas would still have to be further reviewed, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Monday.
In a press briefing, Lopez said more studies are needed to assess health risks, especially in such a venue where lights are dim and minimum health standards may possibly be violated.
“And the issue of ventilation would be there,” he added. “So, kailangan lang talaga pag-aralan ito nang mas mabuti [So, there’s really a need to study the move more thoroughly].”
He added that the government is still “treading carefully” in allowing indoor activities, especially due to threats of new COVID-19 variants.
In a Senate hearing last month, film producers said they are barely surviving the health crisis, especially as their biggest platform, the cinema, remains closed in areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases.
The local film industry has already lost ₱16 billion since March 2020, according to the Philippine Motion Pictures Producers Association.
The country’s COVID-19 inter-agency task force in February allowed the reopening of movie theaters in Metro Manila, but it was met with resistance from mayors who agreed in March to keep the establishments closed amid rising infections at that time.
The region and four nearby provinces have been placed under general community quarantine “with restrictions” until June 15. The new quarantine classifications for the rest of the month are expected to be announced on Monday night.
