Some cinemas in MGCQ areas reopen with limited seating capacity

Several shopping malls under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) have reopened their movie theaters albeit with limited seating capacity.

A cinema at a mall in Legazpi City, Albay has allotted only up to 30 percent of its seating capacity for moviegoers, while observing health protocols including the filling out of a declaration form, according to a Balitanghali report by Mark Salazar.

Seats for audiences were three seats apart in the cinema to observe social distancing.

Similarly, movie screenings at a shopping mall in Lucena, Quezon have resumed.

Some mall operators, however, including Robinsons Malls, have yet to reopen their movie theaters as they continue to study installing a ventilation system that will allow air to circulate in and out of their malls, and integrating an airtight design inside their theaters.

"Once there is a government regulation on this one, we will be following any of the health and safety guidelines as required for health and safety for our customers," said Bomboy Lim, General Manager, Robinsons Movieworld.

Some mall-goers were still hesitant to go to theaters.

The College of Philippine Physicians said ventilation is important to avoid infection not only in public transportation, but also in buildings.

Open-air drive-through cinemas have reopened prior to the opening of cinemas in malls. -Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News