Covid-19: Movie Theaters in Some Indonesian Cities Start to Reopen

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Moviegoers can now watch new releases at theatres in some Indonesian cities following the government’s decision to ease coronavirus restrictions in alert level 3 and 2 areas in Java and Bali.

Cinemas in some cities were previously closed for several months due to the partial lockdown measures, or known by its Indonesian acronym PPKM, to stem the spread of Covid-19.
South Korean cinema chain CGV in Indonesia began to reopen on Thursday, September 16 after temporarily closing for two months.

“CGV cinemas had temporarily stopped operating following the partial lockdown measures in Java-Bali to curb the spread of Covid-19. Currently, some CGV cinemas resume operations,” said the company in a statement, Thursday, September 16.

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The government started to gradually reopen the country’s economy after the coronavirus infections continue to decline.

The CGV cinemas in 18 Indonesian cities are participating in the trial runs. This, among others, includes Jakarta, Bandung, Tegal, Yogyakarta, Palembang, Makassar, Manado, and Samarinda.
The company will inform the public periodically regarding the reopening of other branches as preparations of each place are different, and policies can change according to the local conditions.

“The visitors should not be worried about missing out on movie releases as the cinemas were previously closed after the extension of Covid-19 restrictions on public activities,” said the CGV Indonesia.

CGV strictly follows the health protocols at its outlets from checking the temperatures of the guests and placing signs to maintain physical distancing to providing hand sanitizers and vaccinating their employees. Besides, visitors who come to the theatres are required to use the contact-tracing Covid-19 app PeduliLindungi or show their vaccine certificates. Only visitors who have received their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine can enter the cinemas. Children below 12 years are not allowed to enter the theaters which operate at 50 percent capacity.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Cinema XXI also conducted trial runs for reopening some of its outlets on September 16.

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“Cinema XXI will conduct trial runs for reopening some of its branches on September 16,” the company’s head of corporate communications and brand management Dewinta Hutagaol told Kompas.com on Wednesday, September 15.

However, Dewinta could not disclose which branches that would resume operations. To get this information, members of the public could access its official website or MTix app to look at the schedules and locations.

The company welcomes the government’s decision to allow movie theatres to reopen amid the partial lockdown.

The company will support the government's efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic by strictly implementing the health protocols.

(Writer: Yohana Artha Uly | Editors: Erlangga Djumena, Ambaranie Nadia Kemala Movanita)

Sources: https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/09/16/104000026/bioskop-cgv-mulai-buka-hari-ini-di-kota-mana-saja-.

https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/09/15/192738126/boleh-beroperasi-lagi-cinema-xxi-uji-coba-buka-bioskop-mulai-besok?page=all.