Moviegoers urged to follow COVID-19 protocols

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday appealed to moviegoers in the National Capital Region (NCR) to observe health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The government’s COVID-19 task force has lowered the community quarantine alert in the NCR to Level 3, allowing establishments such as cinemas to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50% outdoor venue capacity for two weeks beginning October 16.

“Para po sa ating mga kababayan, kung kayo ay pupunta at manonood ng sine, kailangan sundin ang safety protocols. You should wear your face shields and face masks,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online briefing.

(Individuals going to cinemas should follow safety protocols. You should wear your face shields and face masks.)

“Please, dapat hindi puwedeng kumain sa loob ng sinehan sa panahon ngayon… ibig sabihin maghuhubad kayo ng inyong face mask at face shield at maaring magkaroon kayo ng increased risk for having the infection,” she added.

(Please, we should refrain from eating inside movie theaters at this time… if you remove your face mask and face shield, you’ll have an increased risk of having an infection.)

Vergeire said cinemas must also have safety officers which will screen moviegoers and monitor the compliance of protocols.

“Even throughout the movie, kailangan po tayo ay nagiikot para makita natin kung may sumusuway sa mga pamantayang ating sinusunod,” she said.

(Throughout the movie, the safety officers should go around to watch out for protocol violators.)

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has previously said the agency will monitor if the reopening of movie theaters will lead to an increase in COVID-19 infections. — VBL, GMA News