While the updated COVID-19 Emergency measures allows for cinemas to resume operations from today, Caribbean Cinemas and MovieTowne yesterday said that they would not be reopening as yet due to a restriction on the sale of food and drinks.

As a result, the two establishments are calling for the authorities to review and reconsider the decision to not allow concession stands at the cinemas.

With the latest update of the COVID Emergency Measures, gazetted last Thursday and in effect for August, cinemas were given the green light to resume operations, albeit at a 40% capacity.

No concession stands are allowed at cinemas and patrons would be required to be masked during screenings.

Patrons would also be required to be vaccinated.

In a press statement issued yesterday, Giftland Mall said that the Caribbean Cinemas at its location will be unable to reopen due to the restriction on selling food, which has not been placed on other businesses.

“Even when the occupancy rate has been reduced to 40%, the opening without the sale of snacks and beverages is not what customers expect when going to the movies,” it stated.

It also pointed out that wherever restaurants are open around the globe today under COVID-19 restrictions, cinemas are open and selling snacks and food. “This includes England, Canada, and neighboring countries like Antigua, St. Lucia, French Guiana and Suriname. There is no science anywhere that a person going to a movie theatre is at greater risk than going to a bar, restaurant, or club. If anything, it is considered safer,” it argued.

As a result, Caribbean Cinemas called on government to reconsider the decision while stating that “eating in cinemas with appropriate social distancing and facing away from one another while eating poses a far less health risk than common dining or even prevailing circumstances encountered in everyday Guyanese life”.

“The decision to now allow food which is a necessity for a cinematic experience is regrettable and we are kindly requesting a review of this position by the authorities,” it added.

It was unclear if the position was applicable at all Caribbean Cinemas branches here. There are also Caribbean Cinemas theatres at the newly commissioned Amazonia Mall and at Classic Hotel in Berbice.

Not economically viable

Meanwhile, in a notice issued yesterday, MovieTowne, at Turkeyen, has also said that it will be unable to reopen.

According to MovieTowne, the decision to not allow the sale of food and drinks to patrons viewing movies makes it “not economically viable to operate”.

“It is commendable of the Government of Guyana, along with the Ministry of Health and the National COVID-19 Task Force, to allow cinemas to reopen after 16 months of closure and MovieTowne appreciates the opening of 40% capacity for vaccinated persons. However, with the added restriction of no concession sales, it is unfortunately not economically viable to operate,” the notice states.

It adds that concession offerings for moviegoers are part of the cinematic experience, which are similar to inhouse dining within restaurants and cars.

“With our implemented checkerboard seating and increased sanitization protocols, persons are adequately socially distanced to enjoy their favourite movie snack. The maximum time spent in a single showing can be approximately two hours, of which not every person indulges in the consumption of snacks and can continue to wear their masks where this is recommended and enforced as our policy,” MovieTowne further notes.

According to MovieTowne, it supports the ministry in achieving herd immunity.

However, it is asking the government that the restriction on concessions be “reviewed and reconsidered”.

“MovieTowne Cinemas will regrettably remain closed under these present restrictions and kindly look forward to a review of the current position by the authorities,” the notice advises.

Putting measures in place

Meanwhile, as of yesterday, the position differed at Princess Movie Theaters.

Speaking to Sunday Stabroek, spokesperson Natalie Seecharran said that preparations are currently ongoing for the reopening of its theaters.

“We are currently in the process of having measures in place in consideration of all of the variables, meaning our staff, our customers, [and] the health of everyone else around. So there is a lot that goes into that,” Seecharran said.

Once the reopening date is confirmed, Seecharran said it will be made public.

“Given the systems that we would have to implement and, of course, we would need to ensure that we are in compliance with all of the measures by the Task Force that has to be carried out, of course, taking into consideration the 40% capacity, sanitization and things like that,” she explained.

According to Seecharran, the Princess Theaters believes that whatever decision is taken by the Ministry of Health is for the benefit of all of the country’s population.

“We do trust that the ministry, they are making the best decision in terms of going forward and they are taking into consideration the general population’s health,” Seecharran said.