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As life slowly begins to show signs of a sense of normality, residents of Abu Dhabi can finally look forward to watching movies on the silver screen soon. The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee recently tweeted a new set of guidelines for the reopening of Abu Dhabi cinemas in shopping malls with certain precautionary measures in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In coordination with Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic, @AbuDhabiDED issues precautionary measures for resumption of operations for cinemas inside shopping malls across #AbuDhabi. pic.twitter.com/Mfyew73qrS
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) August 17, 2020
Theaters across the country had shut in March to stem the spread of Covid-19, but have gradually been reopening in other emirates. Despite no official date being specified, residents can hopefully look forward to seeing screenings in time for the long weekend.
The new cinema guidelines are as follows:
1. Operators must not book more than 30% of available seats.
2. Social distancing will be in force in ticket queues and inside the cinema itself. No adjacent seats will be used, except by members of the same family.
3. All seats must be sanitized after each show and cinemas must allow at least 20 minutes between screenings to ensure there is enough time for this.
4. The cinema must be disinfected at the end of each day.
5. There will be no tickets or pamphlets issued and touch screens will be removed.
6. Masks will be mandatory and all staff must be tested for coronavirus before cinemas reopen.
Furthermore, penalties will be issued to those not following the guidelines. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development Under-Secretary, Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, noted that there are currently 19 cinemas operating in the emirate, 12 in Abu Dhabi city, six in Al Ain city, and one in Al Dhafra region. VOX Cinemas has already reopened theaters in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in compliance with the guidelines.
Here is a new slick action movie you can look forward to watching:
