Malacañang on Monday said that the reopening of establishments including cinemas in areas under general community quarantine was not universally mandatory and would depend on local government units (LGUs).
In a virtual presser, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases resolution which approved of the reopenings specified that only when approved by an LGU can businesses such as cinemas, driving schools, libraries, museums, cultural centers and others may restart operations.
He was referring to IATF Resolution No. 99, which was released on Feb. 11.
“Siguro po ay narinig ninyo na rin na hindi po sumasang-ayon ang ating mga mayor sa Metro Manila lalung-lalo na iyong pagbubukas ng mga sinehan. Well, nirirespeto po ng IATF ang posisyon ng ating mga alkalde lalung-lalo na dito sa Metro Manila,” Roque said.
“Kaya nga po sa resolution nakasaad po iyon, ito po ay magiging epektibo matapos po ang mga guidelines na iisyu ng mga lokal na pamahalaan lalo na pagdating sa seating capacity ng sinehan. So, hindi naman po natin sinasabi na automatic na mula ngayon magiging epektibo iyan, dahil nasa lokal na pamahalaan po iyan na bumuo ng kanilang mga operational guidelines.”
Metro Manila mayors have expressed that relaxing protocols in more sectors would further the spread of Covid-19.
They have decided to move the reopenings to March 1.
The country has recorded 550,860 Covid-19 cases as of Feb. 15. John Ezekiel J. Hirro