BY DHEL NAZARIO
Movie enthusiasts can’t relax and enjoy just yet.
This came after the economic team of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) deferred the opening of cinemas, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said on Monday.
“Pumayag naman po ang ating economic team ng ating IATF na idefer muna po itong implementation ng pagbubukas ng cinema,” Olivarez, also chairman of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), said in radio interview over DZMM.
When asked if the local government units (LGUs) were consulted regarding the matter, Olivarez said that they have regular consultations with them except for this specific measure on cinemas.
“Ito pong specific na cinema hindi po nagkaroon ng consultation,” Olivarez said.
He said in the interview the MMC will have a meeting with the secretary of IATF’s economic team on Wednesday. He said that the MMC supports the opening of the economy but they “could not sacrifice” the health protocols.
“Alam naman po natin sa cinema enclosed ‘yan, tatlong oras air-conditioned. Questionable ‘yung ventilation,” Olivarez explained.
Last week, after less than a year of being closed, the government’s pandemic task force has allowed traditional cinemas to reopen under general community quarantine (GCQ).