Wazzup Pilipinas!?
DTI issues
guidelines on reopening of entertainment and leisure venues: Cinemas re-open at
50% capacity as NCR shifts to Alert Level 2
Metro Manila eases into Alert
Level 2 allowing maximum 50% indoor venue capacity for entertainment and
recreational establishments which started last November 5 up to November 21,
2021, backed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued minimum
public health standards and protocols.
With the goal of gradually restarting the country’s
economy while managing the potential risk of exposure, spread, and transmission
of COVID-19, DTI released a memorandum circular on sector-specific guidelines
in reopening movie theaters, cinemas, non-contact sports venues, and amusement
parks last October 27, 2021.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines
(FDCP), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH),
and other stakeholders provided inputs
on the drafting of the issuance in line with the health standards and protocols under the
pilot implementation of alert levels system COVID-19 response of the
Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases
(IATF-MEID).
Working towards the day of reopening of cinemas, DTI
clarified requirements and guidelines in operating theaters. Limited indoor
cinemas opened last November 10, 2021 with strict implementation of the
following health protocols, as indicated in “Annex A” of the said reference:
●
Only COVID-19 vaccinated individuals are to be allowed in an
enclosed cinema, provided that they do not have any symptoms and presentation
of vaccination cards is required
●
Physical distancing at all times, from ticket queuing to
entrance and entry points, and maintaining one seat apart from all directions
of cinema seating
●
Ensure proper ventilation and air filtration system, and
disinfection of venue should be done every after film
●
Availability of hand hygiene and sanitation facilities
●
Designation of entry and exit points, directive signages for
moviegoers, and utilization of spaces to avoid crowding by having breaks in
between screening times
●
Face shields are required upon entry but may be taken off
only during the screening proper
●
Face masks should be worn at all times, unless for a quick
quench of thirst - eating is prohibited
●
Consideration of a
pre-show announcement as reminder for health protocols and guidelines
Minimum IATF and DOH mandated health protocols should
still be followed— temperature check upon entry, contact tracing, and
disinfection and physical distancing for all entering individuals. Different
government agencies, consisting of the DTI, DOLE, DOH, and the Local Government
Unit’s (LGU) Health Offices, are working hand-in-hand in continuing compliance
monitoring and may conduct inspections.
Cinema capacity and allowable patrons vary for each
alert level. DTI stated in the memorandum that on-site capacity will follow the
latest guidelines set by the national government, with the addition of other
prohibitions that may be imposed by the governing LGU. Below are the
differences of each in accordance to the IATF-MEID guidelines:
●
Alert Level 5 - Cinemas are not allowed
●
Alert Level 4 - Cinemas are not allowed
●
Alert Level 3 - Maximum of 30% indoor venue capacity for
fully vaccinated individuals only
●
Alert Level 2 - Maximum of 50% indoor venue capacity for
fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years of age, even if
unvaccinated
●
Alert Level 1 - 100% on all establishments, persons, or
activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or
venue/seating capacity
For guidelines on the alert level system for COVID-19
response in pilot areas, refer to the IATF mandate uploaded here.
DTI opens their lines for any public concern and
feedback regarding these guidelines through DTI Consumer Care Hotline 1-384. To
read the complete memorandum, a copy is available through DTI’s website.
Call of Support
for Local Films
FDCP emphasizes the value of reopening cinemas to the
recovery of the local film industry. FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño
expressed her excitement for the development, “We’ve been waiting for cinemas
to be reopened for months, and now that it’s here, we wish for a safe and
worthwhile experience for our viewers.”
Diño appeals for audiences to prioritize Filipino
films upon the cinemas’ return. “We see this as a chance for our local
filmmakers, productions, artists, crew, and each one involved in creating films
to get back on their feet,” she added.
FDCP’s Nood Tayo
ng Sine campaign, which was released last year, aims to put together an
online community to keep the support for cinema alive and to bring back the
audience to the cinemas safely.
For the list of available cinema screenings, you may
check this post from Nood Tayo ng Sine’s Facebook. To get updates on the
latest from the local film industry, and more exciting things to look forward
to, visit their website, and their social media pages Facebook, Instagram,
and Twitter.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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