DTI to shut down cinemas, arcades for next two weeks

Movie houses, gaming arcades, driving schools, museums and cultural centers will be ordered temporarily closed for the next two weeks in light of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

In a Viber message to reporters, Lopez said he will issue a circular on this new restriction on Friday, March 19.

He said cultural centers to be covered by the circular are those limited to social events in Department of Tourism accredited establishments.

The upcoming circular will come two weeks after the DTI issued Memorandum Circular No. 21-08 which allows cinemas to reopen in GCQ areas, albeit at 25% venue capacity.

But with Metro Manila mayors expressing apprehension over the decision, the COVID-19 task force eventually postponed its initial order to reopen such establishments.

Lopez, who earlier pushed for further reopening of businesses to spur economic recovery, is now also supporting calls to temporarily close and scale back recently reopened establishments. -MDM, GMA News