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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Do cinemas, arcades have a chance of reopening soon? 'We'll see,' says Roque

Do cinemas, arcades have a chance of reopening soon? 'We'll see,' says Roque

Published Sep 6, 2021 04:37 pm

Will cinemas and amusement centers like arcades finally reopen these "ber" months considering Metro Manila's impending switch to the more lax general community quarantine (GCQ) this coming Wednesday, Sept. 8?

(Photo by Erik Witsoe/ Unsplash)

It's not likely, but there's a glimmer of hope according to remarks given by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, Sept. 6.

"We will see po," Roque told reporters when asked during a virtual press conference whether or not cinemas and arcades would be allowed to operate again soon by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

"Dahil talaga naman pong (Because it's true that) as Metro Manila reaches population protection, and realidad po (the reality) is we can be more open as far as the economy is concerned," the Palace official said.

Movie houses, arcades and similar establishments for amusement have been shuttered for the longest time in going coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

And like other businesses, their traditional peak are the Christmas months, specifically the upcoming final quarter of the year.

But Roque made it clear that as of now, the so-called negative list of the IATF stays as it so despite the announced change in quarantine classifications.

"The negative list remains and kasama pa po dyan yung ating (and it still includes our) movie houses. Hindi pa po napag-usapan yung revoking the negative list (The revocation of the negative list hasn't been discussed)," he said.

Metro Manila will revert to a GCQ after going through bouts of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified (MECQ) for the month of August.

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