The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has released a new circular allowing owners of cinemas within shopping malls across Abu Dhabi to resume operations.
The circular directs cinema owners to resume their activities at 30 percent capacity of their halls and to follow strict precautionary measures that have been put in place to curb corona virus spread.
The move was made in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for COVID-19 pandemic.
Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Under-Secretary of ADDED, said the new circular was part of the department’s efforts to support the services and entertainment sectors and accelerate their gradual return in providing various activities to better serve community members following a series of pandemic-related closure circulars.
The circular involves ensuring compliance with all the precautionary measures stipulated in other previously issued circulars regarding the resumption of operations, and the full adherence to these measures is important to reopen the cinemas, given that a large number of people visit these venues, particularly when new films are running.
The authorities will be required to regularly sanitize and disinfect all their facilities and common areas where food and drink items are sold. A break of 20-30 minutes will be taken after each show for the sanitization.
In addition, all public buildings, entrances, exits, washrooms, and other important buildings should provide hand sanitizers.
F&B (Food & Beverage) products should be provided only in disposable single-use utensils, containers, and cups. Cinemas are also urged to encourage visitors to use online payment methods and to use digital platforms to purchase tickets in advance.
Further, the cinemas are required to allocate two seats for each visitor, empty them on both sides and cancel a whole row between each row. Clear placement of social distancing marks on the floor and instruction signs at entrances, exits, ticket windows and refreshment areas are mandated.
ADDED has advised the cinema owners to set up COVID-19 tests for all members of their staff. The cinema staff and visitors must always wear gloves and masks while visitors should not be provided with blankets, covers or massage seats within the cinema hall.
“The granting of cinema reopening permit is subject to all these sets of requirements being met,” added Mr Balooshi.
It is stressed that cinemas which do not meet the conditions and instructions of the circular will not be allowed to resume activities and display movies. Inspection and control teams of ADDED will be conducting visits to ensure that precautionary steps and procedures are enforced. In the meantime, the violators will be subject to penalties.
