CINEMAS, ARCADES OK'D, TOO

Gov't allows 50% capacity for religious gatherings in GCQ areas

The government's inter-agency task force in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed the increase to 50% of  venue's capacity for religious gatherings in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ).

According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday, this was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) during its meeting Thursday.

“Starting February 15, pinapayagan na po ang religious gatherings up to 50% of the seating or venue capacity," Roque said

At present, only 30% of venue's capacity is allowed in religious gatherings in areas under GCQ, which include Metro Manila.

Roque said the IATF has also allowed the following industries or activities to expand, if not resume operations, subject to guidelines that will be issued by the Department of Health and respective local government units (LGUs):

• driving schools
• traditional cinemas
• video and interactive game arcades
• libraries, archives, museums at cultural centers

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• meetings, incentives conferences and exhibitions
• limited social events
• accredited establishments ng Department of Tourism
• tourist attractions such as parks, theme parks, natural sites and historical landmarks

"Ang mga nasabing negosyo at industriya ay kailangan pa ring mahigpit na sumunod sa minimum health standards ng Department of Health," Roque said.

Roque said such easing of limits was approved considering that there was no recent increase in COVID-19 attack rate, as well as to provide livelihood to the people amid the pandemic.

"Nakikita natin na hindi naman po tumataas ang ating attack rate, 'no, at hindi naman po masikip o iyong ating mga hospital at sa ating pagamutan, ‘no. In other words, wala po tayong problema pagdating doon sa ating utilization rate," Roque said.

“At siyempre po alinsunod ito sa katotohanan na kinakailangan nating magbukas pa ng ekonomiya dahil kinakailangan magkaroon nang karagdagang hanapbuhay iyong ating mga kababayan. Iyong mga nabuksan po nating industriya, marami pong mga nagtatrabaho diyan na matagal nang walang hanapbuhay, ngayon po makakapaghanapbuhay na silang muli," he added.

Aside from Metro Manila, also under GCQ for the month of February are the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Batangas, Tacloban City, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Iligan City.  —KBK, GMA News