And other things you need to know before coming to movie houses
The long wait is almost over as cinemas in Metro Manila are welcoming back moviegoers to enjoy the experience of witnessing films on big screens again. While this is huge for Filipino movie buffs, health and safety protocols must still be observed.
As per the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), cinemas in the National Capital Region (NCR) are only allowed to operate at a minimum of 30 percent capacity and must only admit fully-vaccinated individuals. In addition to that, the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP), through “Sa Sine Safe Ka,” has released a detailed set of protocols to ensure the safety of moviegoers and theater staff. These include the following:
- Body temperature check
- Inspection of customers’ authentic vaccination card
- Wearing face shields and face masks while inside the theaters
- Encourage contact-less transaction in ticket-purchasing
- No eating inside the cinemas
- Socially-distanced seats
- Improved air ventilation
- Availability of hand sanitizers at the cinema entrances
- Mandatory hand-washing every 30 minutes for cinema employees
- Deep cleaning between screenings
With these in mind, our comeback to the cinemas will be swift, enjoyable, and, for sure, safe. To help you out on where and when to do your blockbuster comeback, here’s a list of movie houses in Metro Manila that are reopening on Nov. 10, 2021.
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls
Prepare to watch upcoming flicks in “crystal-clear big screens, crisp surround sound, and comfy reclining seats” as Megaworld Lifestyle Malls is opening its cinemas in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Iloilo. These include Eastwood Cinemas, Lucky Chinatown Cinemas, Newport Cinemas, Uptown Cinemas, and Venice Cineplex in Metro Manila, and Southwoods Cinemas in Biñan City, Laguna, and Festive Walk Cinemas in Iloilo City.
Rockwell Cinemas
Movie enthusiasts can look forward to exciting titles on the big screen, such as “Dune,” “Eternals,” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” as Power Plant Mall and Santolan Town Plaza in Rockwell Center reopen. According to The Rockwellist, “seating will be at 40 percent capacity, with a 1.2-meter lateral distance between customers, and a 2.2-meter gap from those in front and at the back.” To ensure the health and safety of customers, one-hour disinfection will be done every after screening through UV light and misting machines.
Vista Mall
Also opening on Nov. 10 is Vista Mall and will soon release its lineup of blockbusters to show. Its Metro Manila sites include Evia Lifestyle Center in Las Piñas and Vista Mall Taguig.
Gateway and Ali Mall Cineplex
A worry-free cinema experience awaits at Gateway and Ali Mall Cineplex. UV Care is already set up in their theaters to make sure their cinemas are safe. Among their upcoming releases include movies “Dune” and “Eternals.”