More movie theaters in Indonesia have resumed operations this month. 

In Jakarta, cinema chains CGV Cinemas and Cinepolis Cinemas reopened for the public on Wednesday.

The reopening of movie theaters was based on Jakarta Culture and Tourism Agency Regulation No. 268/2020, released on Oct. 20 following the introduction of transitional large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). 

CGV Cinemas has resumed operations in four shopping malls, namely Grand Indonesia in Central Jakarta, Aeon Mall Jakarta Garden City in East Jakarta, Green Pramuka Mall and Transmart Cempaka Putih in Central Jakarta. 

The South Korean cinema chain is currently showing horror film Train to Busan 2: Peninsula and plans to screen other films, including The Swordsman, an action film starring Joe Taslim, as well as Deliver Us from Evil, The Secret Garden, Bloodshot and Eyes on Me. 

As for Cinepolis Cinemas, antaranews.com reported that the theater company had reopened in five locations: Plaza Semanggi in South Jakarta, Gajah Mada Plaza in Central Jakarta, Pluit Village in North Jakarta, Tamini Square and Cibubur Junction in East Jakarta. 

In an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19, both cinema chains are applying strict health protocols, requiring all moviegoers and staff members to wear face masks, practice social distancing and use cashless transactions.

Moreover, the cinema chains are also required to follow the Jakarta administration’s regulation on limiting theater capacity to 25 percent. 

However, Cinepolis Cinemas is currently offering a private screening service for 15 to 25 people at a starting price of Rp 599,000 (US$40.92).

Read also: Bandung movie theaters resume operation

Cinepolis Cinemas Indonesia CEO Gerald Dibbayawan said the local administration would gradually relax regulation on movie theaters. 

In an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19, cinema chains are applying strict health protocols, requiring all moviegoers and staff members to wear face masks, practice social distancing and use cashless transactions. (JP/Swi Handono)

In addition to cinemas in Jakarta, movie theaters have also started operating in other cities.  

Some movie theaters in Bandung reopened for business on Oct. 9. 

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s largest cinema chain Cinema XXI reopened movie theaters in seven cities – Bandung, Ternate, Jayapura, Pontianak, Banjarmasin and Samarinda – on Oct. 17. 

“Cinema XXI has been actively communicating and coordinating with the local administrations regarding the reopening of movie theaters,” said the company’s head of corporate communications and brand management, Dewinta Hutagaol. 

Dewinta added that they began to conduct trials after receiving a permit and recommendation from the local administration.

Cinema giants Cinema XXI and CGV had put operations on pause since April to comply with the government’s calls for physical distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving new releases from major studios in limbo and theater staff in an indefinite furlough.

Prior to the closures, movie theaters were required to provide a one-seat gap between viewers, reduce capacity by 50 percent and reduce the number of screenings each day. (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.