Metro Manila mayors to defer reopening of cinemas

ALL 17 mayors of Metro Manila want to defer implementation of an IATF resolution allowing the reopening of cinemas, museums, game arcades and other leisure establishments in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, chairman of the Metro Manila Council, said they reached a unanimous agreement in their Viber group chat, but will still meet in person on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, to discuss the matter.

“Hold muna. We have a discussion with Secretary Harry (Roque) and (Department of Trade and Industry) Secretary (Ramon) Lopez na ide-defer muna ang implementation regarding the opening of these particular activity centers in the whole Metro Manila," Olivarez said in a television interview Monday, February 15.

The February 11, 2021 resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed the reopening of cinemas, game arcades, museums, theme parks and other leisure establishments to reopen in GCQ areas beginning February 15.

Metro Manila, or the National Capital Region, is under GCQ until the end of February. The region, with a population of over 12 million, has the highest number of coronavirus cases nationwide.

Olivarez said, however, that they do not have any problem with expanding in-person attendance in religious gatherings to 50 percent of a venue’s capacity since most churches are open and well-ventilated.

He also said they have no reservations over the reopening of driving schools.

Olivarez also said they were amenable to easing age restrictions to allow teenagers from 15 to 17 years old to go out of their homes. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)