TWO major cinema operators in Cebu have no reopening schedules yet as they await advisory from their headquarters in Manila and guidelines from the local government units (LGU).
But once they reopen they are to strictly implement health protocols and follow the new guidelines set by the government’s Covid-19 task force.
“We are preparing the cinemas for the implementation of the safety protocols. However, we are still waiting for the LGU guidelines for reopening of the cinemas,” said Bong Dy, Visayas Area head of Ayala Land Malls Inc.
SM cinemas in Cebu, on the other hand, have no schedule of reopening yet.
“SM Cinemas will work closely with the LGUs on our reopening. We are prepared to open with strict safety standards for all customers,” Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls, said in a statement.
Cinemas and movie theaters in Cebu have been closed for more than a year and a half due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has put the entire Cebu island under Alert Level 2 until Oct. 31. Under this alert level, reopening of cinemas and movie houses with restrictions are among the allowed economic activities.
Alert Level 2 refers to areas wherein case transmission is low and decreasing, healthcare utilization is low, or case counts are low but increasing, or case counts are low and decreasing but total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate is increasing.
Only 50 percent of the seating capacity of indoor cinemas is allowed, while 70 percent for outdoor venues. (KOC)