Cinema owners in the dark over reopening directive

• Awaiting finalised guidelines from health authorities 
• Says social distancing measures will result in seating capacity dropping by 50%
• Industry struggling after revenues hit by COVID-19 since Feb. 

By Charumini de Silva

Despite the Government announcement yesterday on the reopening of theatres from 27 June, cinema owners said they were still awaiting approval of finalised guidelines from health authorities to resume operations post-COVID-19.

“The industry welcomes the Government decision to reopen the cinema halls. However, we still have not received any official confirmation. Neither the National Film Corporation (NFC) nor the Cultural Affairs Ministry has conveyed this to us in a formal manner,” industry stakeholders told the Daily FT.

Noting that the cinema owners have submitted guidelines and precautionary measures to reopen theatres at least by July, they still have not received any official confirmation to resume operations from 27 June.

“We have submitted best globally accepted precautionary measures to the Government and other relevant authorities. 

However, we are yet to receive a formal confirmation date on the reopening of cinemas,” they added.

Cinema owners assured to continue to follow each Government directive giving top most priority to the health and well-being of their patrons.

The industry stakeholders also pointed out that even if the cinema’s open on 27 June, there was hardly any content to show as most of the international labs and film distributors were still not operational.

It was also noted that even if they reopen cinemas post-COVID-19, only 50% of the full seating capacity can be utilised for screening to ensure that physical distancing is maintained.

They stressed on the immediate impact on the footfalls at cinemas at the initial stage of COVID-19. “While the virus fear was pulling down the footfalls drastically, the cinema closure directive issued by the Government brought the business to a standstill. The footfalls were down by 30%, starting February. Our patrons had started taking precautions and panic started gain intensity,” the industry stakeholders said.

In the absence of revenues, they said the cash flow has completely stopped, resulting in extreme distress, while operating expenses like staff salaries, electricity bills, rent, maintenance charges and other administrative costs are being borne by the industry at present.

Despite many attempts to contact Cultural Affairs Ministry officials in this regard, they were not available to comment.