CINEMAS in Davao City are told to observe 50 percent venue capacity following the reopening of establishments allowed to operate under Alert Level 2.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said during the Bida Bakunado program of Davao City Disaster Radio on November 26, 2021, cinemas should follow minimum public health standards and other necessary protocols once they resume operations.
“They (cinemas) have to observe 50 percent capacity sa venue and they have to follow the minimum health standard pero naa pod tay guideline sa DTI (but we also have guidelines from DTI),” said Schlosser.
During a press briefing on November 15, 2021, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that Davao City, along with the rest of Davao Region, is placed under Alert Level 2 from November 15 to November 30.
Alert Level 2 allows a maximum of 50-percent capacity on indoor venues and 70 percent for outdoor venues.
Aside from movie houses, other allowed establishments are social event venues, tourist attractions and recreational venues.
However, Schlosser said establishments should wait for advice from the local government unit (LGU) before resuming operations, adding that the City Government previously did not allow cinemas to open under Alert Level 3.
“Even sa Alert Level 3, allowed man ang cinemas pero again they have to observe the capacity of the venue,” stated Schlosser. “Sa (In) Alert Level 2, 50 percent; sa Alert Level 3, 30 percent; sa Alert Level 1, all the establishments are allowed to open, wala na siya (there is no more) restriction as per the capacity of the venue.”
Furthermore, Schlosser said the LGU is already preparing in case the city will be placed under more relaxed restrictions or Alert Level. She added that there is no notification yet coming from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“We are always prepared and we are also prepared for the worst,” assures Schlosser.
Davao City malls Gaisano Mall of Davao and NCCC Mall Buhangin earlier announced on social media the reopening of their cinemas on December 1, 2021, since its closure during the start of the pandemic.