Showcase Cinemas plans to reopen with new social distancing measures
SHOWCASE Cinemas has announced new social distancing measures for when screens reopen following the coronavirus shutdown.
The cinema chain will introduce a string of new restrictions, including limiting the number of customers allowed in one auditorium at any time.
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Showcase will also stagger film start times, run less movies than normal, and it will install perspex screens at checkouts.
Film fans will be asked to pay online where possible, plus there will be wipes and hand sanitiser stations located throughout buildings.
In addition, Showcase says staff will be given PPE.
The update comes after rival chain Vue detailed how it would keep staff and customers safe.
Reopening non-essential shops
BEFORE non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen they must ensure that:
- Individuals are able to keep their distance from people outside of their households
- They've reduced the risk of transmission by limiting the number of people that individuals come into contact with
- Shift patterns are changed to reduce the number of people in the office at one time
- Workspaces are ventilated
Venues that are naturally crowded and where it would be hard to practise social distancing will have to remain closed until it's safe enough to reopen them.
Reopening of these types of "high-risk businesses" may be phased in, beginning with pilots to test whether it's possible for them to operate even partially.
More specific details of what rules shops will need to follow will be released closer to the time, and only if phase one and two are successful.
Both cinema companies say they are working towards reopening on July 4, in line with government guidelines set out in .
The Prime Minister said cinemas - as well as pubs, hairdressers and restaurants - would only be able to reopen from July “at the earliest”.
However, this is on condition of the UK passing five tests.
These include ensuring the NHS isn’t overwhelmed and the rate of infection decreasing to manageable levels.
Cinemas and theatres have been shut down since mid-March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Showcase, which is owned by National Amusements, announced it was closing its UK cinemas on March 17.
The cinema firm operates 906 screens in the UK, US, Brazil and Argentina - this includes 21 in the UK.
The Sun has asked Showcase how many staff it has in the UK and if these workers have been furloughed.
Mark Barlow, General Manager, Showcase Cinemas UK, said: “It is clearly dependent on many factors, but the most recent announcement from the government gave a proposed date of July 4 for leisure destinations that can implement social distancing and other safety measures to reopen, and this is what we are currently working towards.
“Watching a film on the big screen is one of Britain’s biggest passions and we’re really excited that we will be able to welcome film fans back to our cinemas very soon.”
A spokesperson for the UK Cinema Association, said: “On the basis of our understanding of the safeguards that will need to be in place before cinemas can safely open, most venues will be ready to do so by the end of June.
“The suggestion that this might be considered around July 4 for cinemas in England is therefore welcome.”