Safe Watch

Today media release from Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines references a recent study in Germany which concluded cinemas are safer than almost any other indoor environment, as long as safety guidelines are followed like mask-wearing and proper air ventilation

Quoting the press release:

The same German research took into account the following factors in its conclusion:

1. People spend an average of only two hours at a cinema 

2. People inside the cinema simply sit down and face the same direction which is known to reduce transmission risks

3. People are not talking to each other during a movie, which minimizes possibility of infection

And the protocols that will be admitted that was patterned set by America’s National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) and endorsed by epidemiologists. 

Monitoring of moviegoers’ body temperature as they enter the cinema

Moviegoers to present authentic vaccination card

Implement regulations set by the IATF and LGUs on facial coverings

No eating inside the cinema

Enforce socially-distanced seating

Encourage contact-less transaction in ticket-purchasing

 Improved air ventilation

Availability of hand sanitizers at the cinema entrance

 Mandatory hand-washing every 30 minutes for cinema employees

Deep cleaning between screenings

 

And as the president of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines said

“We have devoted the past 19 months of cinema closure identifying solutions and precautions based on science.  We will implement these measures to confidently welcome back movie fans to cinemas and send them home safe.”

So yes I'm definitely in favor of the reopening of the theaters, give them a chance to prove they can do this safely! An estimated 300K lost their jobs due to the cinema closures so this would help them.

It was already announced that November 10 would be the reopening date followed by Warner Bros Philippines announcing Dune will be one of the movies opening that day.

Rooting for a safe return to the cinemas!.