Metro Manila mayors defer cinema reopening
MANILA, Philippines — The reopening of cinemas in the capital region will be postponed as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, the chair of the Metro Manila Council said Monday.
Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said Metro Manila mayors opposed the decision of the government’s pandemic response task force to allow the reopening of cinemas and other select establishments in areas under general community quarantine.
He said the local chief executives in the capital region decided to defer the implementation until they formally meet on Wednesday.
“The sentiment of all the mayors, we have apprehension on the reopening of cinemas… We would defer the implementation of the opening of cinemas,” Olivarez said on CNN Philippines’ New Day.
He said the mayors had a discussion about the matter with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. Olivarez also said they intend to seek an appeal of the decision to reopen cinemas.
Olivarez said they are worried to reopen movie theaters, citing risk of the virus spreading in airconditioned and enclosed spaces.
Last week, Roque announced that cinemas, driving schools, video and interactive game arcades, libraries, archives, museums, cultural centers, meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions and limited social events of establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism are allowed to operate again in areas under GCQ.
“Our economy needs to open further as our countrymen need to find additional livelihood,” Roque said.
The Philippines has the second-worst coronavirus outbreak in Southeast Asia following Indonesia, with nearly 550,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
Follow this thread for updates on COVID-19 risk levels, safety measures, and data from Metro Manila's local government units.
Photo: The STAR/Michael Varcas
Supreme Court suspends work from 12:30 p.m. on May 12 for disinfection of premises "in view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases."
Senate President Migz Zubiri says that the whole Senate building will be placed under lockdown until Tuesday next week for thorough cleaning and disinfection.
This came after seven senators and some staff of the Senate tested positive for COVID-19.
Senate President Migz Zubiri says Sen. Grace Poe is recovering from COVID-19 and is not present at the Senate plenary session today. She is the fourth senator to catch the coronavirus in the past two weeks. — Franco Luna
Senate President Migz Zubiri says Sen. Cynthia Villar tested positive for COVID-19. She is third senator to test positive for the virus following Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano and Imee Marcos -- Philstar.com/Xave Gregorio
Daily growth rate in the National Capital Region is down to 2% from 3% of the previous day, according to OCTA Research.
OCTA Research fellow Guido David says the capital region could be close to the peak in new cases or the region has reached its limits in testing capacity.
NCR daily growth rate just 2%. The NCR could be close to the peak in new cases, or the NCR has reached its limits in testing capacity. @dzbb @dzrhnews @allangatus @News5PH @DZAR1026 @NewsRmn @dwiz882 @dzme_1530khz @EagleNews @ABSCBNNews @sofiatomacruz @PhilstarNews @haydeesampang pic.twitter.com/qkSPVvyf6e
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) January 16, 2022
- Latest
- Trending
