DOH To Release Ventilation Guidelines For The Reopening Of Cinemas

The Department of Health (DOH) will be releasing guidelines for proper ventilation in cinemas that were permitted to reopen in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) amid the COVID-19 pandemic in order to bolster the economy.

Uptown Mall Cinema/IMAGE from Uptown Mall

In a virtual briefing, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the reopening of movie houses, a decision made by the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 (IATF), will involve guidelines from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Vergeire added that the DOLE consulted with an epidemiologist so that they can provide these ventilation requirements for ventilation, specifically in enclosed spaces so they can prevent infection.

She also said that existing DOH guidelines on minimum health protocols will still apply and that the DOLE will just give supplementary guidelines to emphasize what people should observe while inside the said premises.

Aside from cinemas, the IATF also allowed driving schools, game arcades, libraries, museums, and some tourist attractions to reopen.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the reopening of cinemas in GCQ areas has been moved to March 1.

As of February 15, 2021, the DOH has recorded 1,685 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s total to 550,860. 14 persons have recovered. There were also 14 additional recoveries and  2 deaths. Of the 27,588 active cases, 86.6% have mild symptoms, 6.9% are asymptomatic, 2.8% are in critical condition, 2.8% have severe symptoms, and 0.86% have moderate symptoms.

SCREENSHOT FROM DOH’s website

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Source: DOH