Cinemas are back today!

After a long 19 months of staying indoors, the new cases of COVID-19 are getting lower and lower and the government already allowed a few businesses to operate under Alert Level 2. This still includes a reduced capacity inside establishments and cinemas is one of the industries that we're trying to save.

With minimum health protocols being observed, the CEAP (Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines) will adhere to IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) guidelines to maintain that these indoor venues will be safe and entertaining for everyone. One of the main guideline is to have 30 percent capacity and only fully-vaccinated persons are allowed to enter theaters.

A study conducted by a German entity concluded that cinemas are generally safe spaces giving the following reasons:

• People spend an average of only two hours at a cinema
• People inside the cinema simply sit down and face the same direction which is known to reduce transmission risks
• People are not talking to each other during a movie, which minimizes possibility of infection

The CEAP and international organizations agree on implementing these guidelines for the security and welfare of everyone who wish to go to the theaters. CinemaSafe - a campaign video released lists safety protocols that should be followed. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/B-4feoqrLlM

• 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

It is also highly encouraged for you to STAY AT HOME should you feel uneasy or a little sick.

Aside from that, reopening of cinemas will also revive jobs that were shut down during the pandemic which includes the following:

• Creative & Production: Directors, screenwriters, talents, editors, crew, bit players, caterers and runners
• Distribution: Logistics team, production checkers, monitoring team, back office support
• Exhibition: Cinema ticket-sellers, usher-porters, projectionists, snack bar personnel, janitors, branch management team
• Others: Cinema suppliers, event organizers, employees of stores and restaurants around cinema premises

It is a sign of relief for these personnel as they happily go back to their pre-pandemic routines while providing us entertaining films.