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IATF shuts down cinemas, arcades, museums for 2 weeks in GCQ areas

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Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/03/08/20210220-covid-empty-establishments-gc-4733.jpg"/><figcaption>A temporarily closed cinema inside a mall in Pasay City on February 20, 2021. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The inter-agency task force leading the country’s COVID-19 response has approved the 2-week closure of several industries in areas under general community quarantine to curb a surge in coronavirus infections, Malacañang said on Friday.</p><p>The operations of the following industries in GQQ areas will be closed from March 19 to April 4, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing </p><ul>	<li>Driving schools</li>	<li>Traditional cinemas</li>	<li>Videos and interactive game arcades</li>	<li>Libraries </li>	<li>Archives</li>	<li>Museums</li>	<li>Cultural events </li>	<li>Limited social events</li>	<li>Limited tourist attractions, except open-air tourist attractions<br/>	 </li></ul><p>The IATF only allowed the reopening of traditional cinemas, arcades and driving schools in mid-February. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/12/21/cinemas-arcades-ok-to-reopen-iatf-allows-more-businesses-to-resume-in-gcq-areas">Cinemas, arcades OK to reopen: IATF allows more businesses to resume in GCQ areas</a></li></ul><p>Meetings, conferences and exhibitions will be limited to essential business gatherings at 30 percent capacity of venues in GCQ areas, said Roque. </p><p>Religious gatherings will also be limited to 30-percent venue capacity, provided that there is no objection from local governments, he said. </p><p>Local governments are given discretion to let religious gatherings fill up to 50 percent of a venue&#x27;s seating capacity, based on the conditions in their areas, Roque said.</p><p>The maximum venue capacity of dine-in restaurants, cafes, personal care services will also be lowered to 50 percent, he said. </p><p>National government agencies are urged to postpone non-critical activities that will result to mass gatherings, he said. </p><p>Cockfighting and cockpit operations are suspended in GCQ areas and those under modified GCQ, the loosest of 4 lockdown levels, Roque added. </p><p>Metro Manila, home to 12 million people, is under <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/27/21/metro-manila-9-other-areas-to-remain-under-gcq-in-march-palace" target="_blank">GCQ this March</a>, along with 9 other areas. </p><p>The Philippines is battling a surge in coronavirus infections that has raised the total tally of cases to 640,984. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/17/21/philippines-covid-19-outbreak-pandemic-peak-march-2021-like-july-2020-says-doh">Back to July level: COVID-19 cases peak anew, infection clusters in households, workplaces</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1643187" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar"><em>Video courtesy of PTV</em></div>

<p>The inter-agency task force leading the country’s COVID-19 response has approved the 2-week closure of several industries areas under general community quarantine to curb a surge in coronavirus infections, Malacañang said on Friday. </p>

The inter-agency task force leading the country’s COVID-19 response has approved the 2-week closure of several industries areas under general community quarantine to curb a surge in coronavirus infections, Malacañang said on Friday.

IATF shuts down cinemas, arcades, museums for 2 weeks in GCQ areas

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IATF shuts down cinemas, arcades, museums for 2 weeks in GCQ areas

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 19, 2021 12:36 PM PHT

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Updated March 19, 2021 02:12 PM PHT

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