MANILA (UPDATE)—Moviegoers can now dine inside cinemas in areas under COVID-19 Alert Level 1, the Department of Health spokesperson said on Monday.

"Pinayagan na po ang pagkain sa loob ng sinehan dito po sa ating bagong guidelines," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

The announcement came hours before Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines were set to shift to the lowest COVID-19 alert level.

• Metro Manila, 38 other areas to shift to Alert Level 1 starting March 1 - Palace

Food and drinks were banned after authorities allowed the limited resumption of cinemas last year, due to fear of COVID-19 transmission.

Officials had said eating and drinking at movie theaters posed high risks of coronavirus infection due to airflow inside enclosed spaces.

Under Alert Level 1, businesses and public transportation will be allowed to operate at capacity. Proof of vaccination will also be required upon entry to indoor establishments or participation in mass gatherings.

Cinemas and movie houses were only allowed to operate at half the capacity for indoor venues and 80 percent for outdoor venues under Alert Level 2.

• Masks on, vaxx proof, full capacity: Rules for COVID-19 Alert 1

The Philippines reported 951 new COVID-19 cases, the first time this year the tally fell below 1,000.

• Philippines posts 951 new COVID-19 cases, lowest so far this year

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