Movie theaters, public attractions to reopen

IATF allows 50% capacity in churches

MANILA, Philippines — Starting Monday, residents in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) – including Metro Manila – may watch movies in cinemas, as well as visit museums, libraries, national tourists attractions and historical landmarks.

Also beginning Monday, churches and other religious venues would be allowed to accommodate 50 percent of their capacity from the previous 30 percent.

According to presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr., the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on Thursday also approved the reopening and expansion of operations of driving schools, video and interactive-game arcades, archives, cultural centers, parks, theme parks, natural sites and historical landmarks.

Also to be allowed are meetings, conferences and exhibitions and limited social events at establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism.

Roque stressed, however, that the easing of quarantine rules would still be subject to “operational guidelines.”

While the IATF had initially allowed 10- to 65-year-olds to go out of their houses, Metro Manila local government units have opted to keep those below 18 years old in their residences.

At its 99th meeting held Thursday, the IATF also relaxed restrictions on mass gatherings for religious activities in areas under GCQ effective Feb. 15.

“Specifically, religious gatherings in GCQ areas shall be allowed up to 50 percent of the seating or venue capacity,” he said.

Aside from Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batangas, Tacloban City, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Iligan City are under GCQ. Most parts of the country are under the most relaxed modified GCQ or MGCQ.

“The reopening and further expansion shall be subject to the issuance of the implementing guidelines which will provide for the operational capacity and oversight of the appropriate regulatory agency and the concerned local government units where these businesses/industries are located,” Roque said.

He added that concerned businesses and industries are also mandated to strictly observe minimum public health standards set by the Department of Health (DOH).

The DOH and local government units will prepare guidelines for the reopening of the other businesses and other activities under the GCQ areas.

Meanwhile, Roque said the DOH has been tasked to review the request of some sports groups to conduct bubble practices and games.

‘Not surprised’

Sought for comment on the IATF decision to allow higher capacity in churches, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said he was “not surprised” and that “it should have been done much earlier.”

“While some protocols are now being relaxed, we urge the public to still exercise caution as COVID-19 hasn’t been extinguished yet from our midst. We are still not safe from this virus and its unpredictable nature makes it really a threat to everyone’s health,” he said.

He added he was not sure if the development was prompted by an official request from the CBCP.

Quiapo Church parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong, for his part, is thankful to the IATF for its decision.

“Long preparations for the devotees, that’s why they have become participative and cooperative,” Badong said in English and Filipino, referring to the devotees of the Black Nazarene.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, a member of the IATF, said that the recent observation of the OCTA research team was one of the bases of the task force for expanding the allowable capacity of religious venues.

The OCTA research recently said that activities related to the feast of the Black Nazarene last Jan. 9 did not cause a spike in COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila.

“That helped somehow,” Guevarra said, referring to the OCTA findings.

“They have the same observation as the DOH and the IATF based on empirical data,” he said, and that Metro Manila mayors did not object to the proposal.

In a statement yesterday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also lauded the IATF decision.

“With this development, we see the revitalization of the MICE sector in general community quarantine areas and eventually, restoring our competitive advantage in the region,” Puyat said. MICE stands for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.

She added the reopening of social events and tourist attractions would “uplift businesses along the value chain and more importantly, address employment and underemployment concerns.”

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a Viber message the Department of Trade and Industry would be involved in crafting guidelines for establishments allowed to reopen and accommodate greater number of patrons.

“DTI is part of the technical working group that recommended this,” he said.

Last month, Lopez said a committee composed of different agencies was studying what sectors could be allowed to reopen.

At that time, he said those being considered were museums and other tourism places.

The government is pushing for further reopening of the economy to allow more individuals to get back to work. – Robertzon Ramirez, Ghio Ong, Louella Desiderio