Chairman of the Giftland Group of Companies Roy Beepat has asked that the National COVID-19 Task Force reconsider the requirement that HEPA filters be used for air purification in order for indoor cinemas to be reopened.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Beepat said that the HEPA filter, which was suggested to be used in the event of cinemas being reopened, “is only used in hospitals and very high dust free labs. It isn’t something that is common to be used outside of those situations. So, for a cinema to be able to use them, they have to change all their air conditioning systems because the filters are very thick and for the air to pass through it, it would break up their compressors to accommodate these filters.”
There are alternative filters which are being used elsewhere in the Caribbean, where cinemas have cut the seating from a 100% to 35% capacity.
Beepat noted that all the customers are facing one way. “This isn’t like bars and restaurants which are open where people are around the table and conversing with each other. These are people facing one way with at least six feet distance.”
He then reasoned that there is more chance of catching COVID-19 while on a bus going to work or at a table at a restaurant than in the cinema if all protocols are observed. He said for this reason the Giftland Mall is asking that the Task Force reconsiders the requirement of HEPA filtration and allow the use of alternative filters.
When asked whether the Caribbean Cinemas has access to the alternative filtration, Beepat said, “We have alternative filters but they are insisting on the HEPA filter, which cannot be accommodated.”
Beepat also noted that the coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on persons’ mental capacity and that the reopening of cinemas would help persons to relax and unwind. He also said that persons would not just be going into the cinemas but that there are rules which would be followed, as prescribed and observed in other countries. “Cinemas have complied with everything except the HEPA filter,” Beepat stated, while noting that the cinemas are willing to work along with the task force to ensure that they are safe for persons.
According to Beepat, there has been no update from the task force about the approval of alternative filters.
When asked about the reopening of cinemas last month, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said that the authorities have engaged with cinema owners and even had teams assess the cinemas and their indoor spaces. He had said that the installation of HEPA filters was recommended as these filters are capable of clearing out viral particles. The minister had also suggested that if cinemas are to reopen, eating and drinking should not be allowed inside as these activities would require the removal of masks.
