Cinemas in low-risk areas of the second-biggest theatrical film market in the world, China, have been given the official green light on Thursday to resume business beginning next week.
The China Film Administration put out the notice at midday in Beijing. Cinemas in the Middle Kingdom have been shuttered since late January in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Cinemas in areas dubbed ‘low risk’ for the infection will be permitted to “resume business July 20 in an orderly manner”.
Multiplexes in “middle and high-risk regions must remain temporarily closed.” An array of “epidemic control measures” must be followed by all cinemas that resume business including a 30% cap on seating capacity and a 50% reduction on the number of screenings held per day.
Masks will be mandatory, sanitization carried out promptly and customers will have their temperature checked at the door. All concession sales are banned, any film shown reportedly must be under two hours, and all tickets must be sold in advance through contactless digital platforms.
As part of this announcement, it has been confirmed that the Shanghai International Film Festival will go ahead and take place July 25th to August 2nd.
Source: The South China Morning Post
