Abu Dhabi to open cinemas in malls

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) issued a new circular on August 17 allowing owners of cinemas inside shopping malls across Abu Dhabi to resume operations and open their doors to the public provided they comply with the precautionary measures being implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19. The move was made in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for COVID-19 pandemic.

The halls should have 30 per cent capacity only, the circular directs cinema owners. There should be continuous sanitising and cleaning of service facilities and common areas where food and beverages are sold. F&B products should be provided in disposable single-use utensils, containers, and cups. Patrons should preferably use electronic payment methods and buy tickets in advance using digital platforms.

Hand sanitisers should be offered in all public areas, entries, exits, washrooms, and other prominent areas. Comprehensive daily sanitisation of cinema halls after their operation hours and between shows should be done, and 20-30-minute break should be there between each show.

The seats on either side of a viewer should empty; an entire row between each two rows should be empty too. Social distancing marks should be placed on the floor and at entries, exits, ticket windows and refreshments areas. Visitors are not allowed to use touch screens that display movie trailers or use ticket dispensing machines. Distribution of promotional leaflets or brochures on movies to the public is prohibited.

Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Under-Secretary of ADDED, stated that visitors inside and outside the cinema halls should observe social distancing measures and wear masks; and cinema owners should conduct COVID-19 tests for all their staff members. Cinema staff and visitors must always wear gloves and masks; blankets, covers or massage seats allocated in key areas within cinema halls should not be provided for visitors. Granting the cinema reopening permit is subject to fulfilling all these requirements, he noted.

He emphasised that ADDED’s inspection and monitoring teams will conduct visits to ensure implementation of all precautionary measures and procedures; penalties will be issued to violators.

There are 19 cinemas operating in the emirate, 12 in Abu Dhabi city, six in Al Ain city and one in Al Dhafra region.