Cinema operators welcome the government’s decision allowing them to resume operations but are still waiting for guidelines on the seating arrangements.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, had during his press briefing this afternoon, announced cinemas would open their doors starting July 1.
MBO Cinema’s chief operating officer Cheah Chun Wai said: “We are ready to open. Our crew has been cleaning our cinemas three times a week.
“We will follow all the SOPs – recording the patrons’ details, taking temperature and sanitising the seats.
“We, however, are unsure how the seating would be. Since the government announced it today, I expect to receive the SOPs in a day or two.”
GSC Cinema public relations and branding manager Sharmine Ishak said the company welcomes the announcement as it has been eagerly waiting to resume operations.
“Our crew has been consistently cleaning and sanitising the cinema halls in anticipation of the reopening. The public can be assured everything is disinfected,” said Sharmine.
“What we know is that we can have a maximum of 250 patrons per hall … if we can practise physical distancing.
“How the seating arrangements will be is still subject to the SOPs. We have been following how restaurants have arranged their seating. We are discussing how best we can accommodate the patrons.”
The SOP of wearing face masks in the hall would be difficult for those wearing spectacles as the lenses would fog up.
Meanwhile, TGV Cinema’s brand and communications assistant manager Cora Lee added the company is also awaiting the seating guidelines.
“We have been ready to open for a long time. The only thing we are unsure of is the seating arrangements,” Lee said.
Here’s the rest of ‘The News Normal’ today.
SWIMMING POOLS REOPEN ON JULY 1
Ismail Sabri also announced swimming pools, including in hotels and condominiums, will also resume operations from July 1 on the condition lifeguards, monitors or supervisors are on duty.
Theatre and live events can also go ahead from July 1 with a maximum of 250 attendees – or depending on the size of the arena.
COVID-19 CASES EXCEED NINE MILLION
Global Covid-19 cases exceeded nine million with over 470,000 deaths. In Malaysia, 15 new cases were recorded which brought the total to 8,587 cases. There are 121 fatalities to date. Another 21 patients were discharged, meaning 8,177 people have been cured.
OLD FOLKS PLAYING SAFE
Several senior citizens spoke to Twentytwo13 about adjusting to ‘house arrest’. As they are the most vulnerable group, many have been selective on how and when they leave home.
NO FOREIGN WORKERS TILL YEAR END
The government had decided to freeze the hiring of new foreign workers until the end of the year. This was disclosed by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan during a press conference today.
STARS TO ROCK OUT FOR CHARITY
Actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson will host Global Goal: Unite For Our Future concert on Saturday. The virtual concert will feature Cyrus, Chloe x Halle, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay and Shakira and others, and include actors Charlize Theron and Hugh Jackman as well as retired football star David Beckham.
Meanwhile, the 1959 Martin D-18E guitar that Kurt Cobain played during 1993 ‘MTV Unplugged’ session sold for over US$6 million (RM25.66 million) at an auction in Los Angeles.
RUSTY LIVERPOOL
English Premier League leaders Liverpool returned to action after 106 days with a boring 0-0 draw against neighbours Everton. The result means the Reds need five more points from eight matches to seal the title.
