Caribbean Cinemas and Movietowne say they are “extremely disappointed” with the latest government order to extend the closure of movie theatres in the country until December 31, 2020.
This is going on 9 months creating an unprecedented economic hardship for these businesses and their employees, the two companies say.
In a statement on Friday, they noted that the cinemas have been closed since March 26, 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus. They pointed out that all other countries in the West Indies and the Caribbean have authorized cinemas to re-open.
“International studies have shown that cinemas continue to be areas of low risk of transmission. Movie theaters are an indoor business where consumers engage in a sedentary and quiet activity. Specifically, guests sit in a theater, all facing the same direction, wearing face masks, and discouraged from speaking. Most importantly no outbreaks have been linked to movie theaters anywhere on the globe”, the statement said.
The statement said that movie theaters including Caribbean Cinemas and Movietowne have implemented CinemaSafe, a programme launched by NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners), with health and safety protocols based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). These protocols were developed over several months by a team of industry experts in consultation with leading epidemiologists to support a safe return to movie theatres.
The CinemaSafe health and safety protocols include:
Mask Required – All employees and patrons must wear a face covering or mask, except when eating.
Social distancing – Appropriate physical distancing must always be maintained between patrons, except members of the same household or those who attend together.
Reduced capacity – Auditorium capacity reduced to 50% to create social distancing by leaving seats and empty rows between parties.
Modified Concessions and Mobile Ticketing – Minimize cash transactions and encourage credit cards or contactless payment whenever possible.
Frequent Hand-Washing – Employees are trained on hand-hygiene practices and are required to wash hands frequently at easily-accessible facilities.
Hand Sanitizer – Hand Sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol will be liberally placed in easily accessible public areas.
Enhanced Cleaning – Auditoriums would be carefully disinfected between movie screenings.
Many jobs in the cinema industry in Guyana have been lost due to their continued closure, the statement said.
“Cinemas are ready to re-open with strict safety protocols, as per Government requirements, and their respective employees are anxious to return to serve their patrons in a safe environment”, it added.
