The opening of cinemas in Metro Manila will be allowed on Saturday after the community quarantine is lowered to Alert Level 3. But food such as popcorn and holding hands are forbidden.
In a report by Mariz Umali on GMA News “24 Oras” on Thursday, it was said that the spectators’ seats would be far apart, so it is forbidden to sit side by side.
It is also forbidden to remove the face mask while inside the cinema, so eating is forbidden.
After the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases lowered the community quarantine to alert level 3 in Metro Manila, despite the cinema being allowed to operate at 30% capacity.
Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed inside the cinema.
Due to the pandemic, cinemas have been closed since March 2020.
The opening of the cinema made Joy Sigasig happy because she would be able to return to work.
“Wala kaming ibang mahanap na trabaho kasi sabi antay antay lang magbukas. Mahirap sa amin noong nag-lockdown kasi wala kaming makuhang budget,” said Sigasig.
Alert Level 3 will start in Metro Manila from October 16, 2021, to October 31, 2021.
Under Alert Level 3, some establishments will be allowed to operate 30% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, as long as employees are fully vaccinated.
Holding hands, eating not allowed inside cinemas
Meanwhile, Alert Level 3 still prohibits:
- Face-to-face classes for basic education
- Sport contacts other than those allowed in the bubble setup
- Fairs, playgrounds, and kiddie rides
- Karaoke, bar, club, concert hall, and theater
- Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting, lotteries, and betting shops except those approved by the IATF or the president
- Parties or gatherings in the households of individuals from different households
The World Health Organization supports Metro Manila’s lowering to Alert Level 3.
It said it is important to be careful in balancing the reopening of the economy and the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Palace said the IATF will revise the list of countries included in the “green list.”
This is after the IATF decided to remove facility-based quarantine on fully vaccinated passengers from countries considered low risk in COVID-19, as long as they show a negative RT-PCR test.
The list is only effective until October 15.
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