Malls here may be able to reopen their cinemas sooner.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella called for a meeting with mall administrators on Wednesday to discuss the eventual reopening of cinemas.

Malls owners have asked the city government that they be allowed to resume the operations of their cinemas, as they seek to revive economic activity.

“There was a request from the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and mall managers in our city that the cinema operations be allowed to resume,” Labella said in a press conference after the meeting.

During the meeting, the mall representatives said that it is high time for cinemas to resume operations and committed to strictly implement the minimum health protocols in movie theaters such as observing physical distancing and wearing of face mask and face shield, among others.

Labella noted that these measures should be adhered to, to comply with the mandates set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), citing in particular the allowable capacity of 50 percent in most establishments.

Under IATF guidelines, cinemas are allowed to reopen in areas placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Cebu City has since been downgraded to MGCQ since September. This quarantine status stays until the end of October.

“We understand the plight of our mall operators. But we also want to make sure that several safeguards are in place as they resume,” Labella said.

The mayor is expected to issue an executive order regarding the matter.

He said however mall managers must first submit their position papers to the city government to assure that they will implement the mandated health and safety protocols to movie goers. (PNA)