Some movie theaters in Bandung, West Java, have reopened for business as of Friday. 

Edward Parlindungan, head of the Bandung Tourism Agency, said that the reopening was based on Mayoral Regulation No. 46/2020 on COVID-19 handling protocols. 

“Based on Mayoral Regulation No. 46/2020, movie theaters are now allowed to operate, starting today. The circular regarding that matter has been released and [cinema owners] have received it,” said Edward on Friday, as reported by kompas.com.

South Korean cinema chain CGV is the only movie theater company that has resumed operations. 

Edward said that other cinema owners had found it difficult to find movies during pandemic. 

Therefore, despite the new regulation, they did not have any films to screen. 

Edward also reminded cinema owners to comply with the “3M” health protocols: mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing.

“We are going to monitor their operations and how they run the health protocols,” he added. 

CGV Cinemas public relations manager Hariman Chalid confirmed the news to The Jakarta Post on Friday, saying that the cinema chains had resumed operation in six shopping malls in Bandung, namely Paris van Java, Miko Mall, BEC, Paskal Shopping Center, Metro Indah Mall and Kings Shopping Center. 

Read also: Jakarta postpones reopening of movie theaters indefinitely

CGV Cinemas are currently showing zombie film Train to Busan 2: Peninsula. 

The movie theater opens at 12 p.m. and closes when the shopping center does. 

To curb the spread of COVID-19, CGV Cinemas are following recommended health and safety protocols.

All visitors and staff are required to wear face masks while visiting the cinemas. 

The cinema chain will allow its occupancy to be no more than 50 percent of its typical capacity and has installed hand sanitizer stations for visitors. 

CGV Cinemas recommend visitors book seats online and use cashless payment methods to purchase movie tickets. 

Indonesia’s largest cinema chain, Cinema XXI, has yet to resume operations in Bandung. 

“Before resuming operations, Cinema XXI continues to carry out maintenance and cleaning activities,” said the company’s head of corporate communications and brand management, Dewinta Hutagaol, in a statement. 

Cinema chains Cinema XXI and CGV have suspended operations across the country since April to help contain the coronavirus outbreak. 

In Jakarta, the city administration and cinema owners considered reopening movie theaters on July 29. But as the pandemic showed no signs of slowing down, the reopening was postponed indefinitely.

Indonesian Cinema Association (GPBSI) head Djonny Syafruddin said in July that Cinema XXI, CGV Cinemas and Cinepolis – cinema chains affiliated with the association – would comply with the government’s decision. (jes) 

 

 

Editor’s note: This article is part of a public campaign by the COVID-19 task force to raise people’s awareness about the pandemic.