Abu Dhabi cinemas to reopen at maximum of 30% capacity

Abu Dhabi has issued a set of precautionary guidelines that must be adhered to for the reopening of cinemas inside malls in the emirate.

It has mandated that cinemas operate at a maximum of 30 per cent of their capacity.

The protocols issued by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development also stipulate that social distancing is to be implemented both vertically and horizontally throughout the seating areas.

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

No adjacent seats are to be allocated, except to members of the same family.

All the seats must be sanitised between show timings, and a minimum of 20 minutes should be set aside between screenings to facilitate this cleaning process.

After working hours, the entire cinema must be disinfected.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit to feature a drive-in cinema

No tickets or pamphlets are to be issued. Also, touch screens must be removed from the premises.

Additionally, all staff members must undergo Covid-19 testing before these cinemas resume operations.

In July, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) said that it would be mandatory for all tourism sector staff in the emirate to undergo regular Covid-19 testing.

Read also: Mandatory regular Covid-19 testing for all tourism sector employees in Abu Dhabi

The emirate has also implemented a new ‘Go Safe’ self-assessment certification programme to implement health and safety precautions across hotels and other tourist sites in the emirate.

The certification will cover malls, theme parks, restaurants and public spaces too.

Entities will undergo guided self-assessments according to guidelines issued by DCT to ensure compliance with Covid-19 precautionary measures.

Read more: Abu Dhabi launches Covid-19 self-assessment safety certification for hotels, tourist destinations

The self-assessments will then be verified through on-site inspections conducted by dedicated teams to ensure that the regulations are met.

Once these establishments are confirmed to have adhered to the necessary standards, they will receive the Go Safe certification.