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DOH stresses need for ventilation, air filtration in cinemas ahead of reopening
By JULIA MARI ORNEDO,GMA NewsThe Department of Health (DOH) on Monday underscored the need for good ventilation and air filtration systems as cinemas gear up for reopening in March.
Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), DOH, and Department of Trade and Industry will soon release guidelines on the reopening of cinemas.
“Kailangan talaga ‘yung massive ‘yung filtering capacity no’ng sinehan para talagang malinis na malinis ‘yung hangin… May mga ibang sakit din na puwedeng maibsan,” he said.
Duque added that moviegoers must not be allowed to eat or drink inside the cinema to avoid COVID-19 transmission.
“Bawal yan. Kung saka sakaling ganoon ang panuntunan diyan ay bawal talaga kumain. Bawal uminom. Mag-aantay ka lang,” he said.
At a virtual briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Labor Department consulted experts to ensure the preparedness of cinemas for reopening.
“They have consulted with an epidemiologist so that they can provide these ventilation requirements, specifically in enclosed spaces para lang makapag-prevent ng infection,” she said.
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The reopening of cinemas in areas under general community quarantine was moved from mid-February to March pending the release of guidelines against COVID-19.
Over the weekend, Metro Manila mayors said they were planning to object to the reopening of cinemas.
The Philippines has logged 549,176 infections with 511,743 recoveries and 11,515 deaths as of Sunday afternoon. — RSJ, GMA News