In coordination with the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has issued guidelines of precautionary measures for resumption of operations for cinemas inside shopping malls across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

 

These measures state that each cinema halls should not exceed 30 per cent of their capacity, physical distancing should be implemented both vertically and horizontally over the seating areas and outside cinema halls between visitors with compulsory of wearing masks.

 

No adjacent seats to be used, except by members of the same family, the ADDED added. “All used seats to be sanitised between showings, and at least 20 minutes to be set aside between consecutive screenings for this purpose.

 

Disinfection of the entire area to be carried out daily after working hours No tickets or pamphlets to be issued.

 

Touch screens to be removed,” the ADDED said. The general guidelines also included banning of distribution of promotional brochures of upcoming movies and that visitors can view available seats when reserving online.

 

Furthermore, a family of up to 10 people maybe book the entire hall at a cost between Dhs900-4,500, and they can do that online, said the ADDED.

 

All employees, workers and visitors must wear a facemask and gloves at all times. Blankets distribution are prohibited in premium cinema lounges, in addition to banning massage chairs in the common areas of the cinema.

 

Serving food and beverages must be served in single-use and disposal packages. Moreover, hand sanitisers should be provided at all entrances and exits of public spaces as well as restrooms and payment points.

 

Among the preventive and precautionary measures, intensive sterilization of movie theaters will be carried out for at least 20-30 minutes after each screening.

 

It has been also stated that COVID-19 tests will be conducted for all staff members prior to resuming activity.

 

ADDED has issued directives for owners of cinemas inside of shopping centers in the emirate, sharing instructions on preventive and precautionary measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 as cinemas resume activities and welcome moviegoers again.

 

The department will also carry out inspections to ensure that the instructions are implemented and followed.