Beijing to reopen cinemas after months-long closure

Cinemas in Beijing's low-risk areas for COVID-19 can resume operations on Friday, with effective epidemic prevention measures in place, a local official said on Tuesday.

Staff members disinfect facilities at a cinema in Beijing, capital of China, July 21, 2020. Cinemas in Beijing's low-risk areas for COVID-19 can resume operations on Friday, with effective epidemic prevention measures in place, a local official said on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cinemas will limit their attendance per show to 30 percent capacity and sell non-adjacent tickets, Wang Jiequn, director of the Beijing municipal film department, told a press conference.

Moviegoers must make real-name reservations and wear masks, and those who do not know each other should keep a distance of at least one meter, Wang said.

Among other epidemic prevention measures, spray disinfection shall not be less than twice a day in public areas of cinemas. Cinemas will not sell food and drink, and snacks will also be prohibited in principle during the movie.

All the 262 cinemas in Beijing were closed from late January due to the epidemic.