Coronavirus: Cinemas are gradually reopening under level 2

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Hoyts entX, in central Christchurch, has reopened but seating restrictions apply.

Cinemas are reopening this week including all Reading Cinemas across the country on Thursday.

Reading managing director Mark Douglas said cinemas in Napier and Rotorua opened on Monday .

A Hoyts spokesman said its Christchurch cinemas had reopened. These included Riccarton, Northlands and EntX, according to the company's website.

However, Event Cinemas remained closed, according to the company's website.

Cinemas have been empty for nearly two months but some will once again see patrons this week.

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Douglas said Reading had re-opened in line with the Government and health department regulations under the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

The chain had implemented a range of social distancing measures to ensure the safety of customers and staff. These included reducing the numbers of people in the auditorium and foyer using a staggered seating.

Contact tracing for cinema goers, suppliers and delivery drivers and a stringent cleaning regime had also been introduced, he said.

“It has been a difficult few months for everyone and we look forward to providing a welcome distraction as New Zealand emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic,' Douglas said.

Hoyts said it would continue to exercise caution in its reopening strategy to ensure it was in line with guidance from Government.

It was implementing safety measures including staff training, temperature checks for staff, additional cleaning protocols and chequerboard style seat separation for movie-goers.

Online bookings were also being encouraged.

A spokesman said that movies being shown were those that were released just before coronavirus hit. These included Jojo Rabbit, Bloodshot, The Gentleman, and Sonic The Hedgehog.

New releases expected over the next few months included Tenet, Mulan and Wonder Woman 1984.

Hoyts would reopen theatres in more locations over the next few weeks, he said.

The cinema chains had not fully opened at the beginning of level 2 due to concerns about how they could operate under the restrictions and had sought clarification from the government.

Attendance at cinemas had begun dropping off well before the country went into level 4 lockdown and unlike many businesses, cinemas could not operate at level 3 either. That had meant many weeks with no income for the businesses.

Event Cinemas and Hoyts received$2.7 million for 499 staff, and $1.6m for 316 staff, respectively.

Reading New Lynn, in Auckland, had claimed $144,000 for 29 staff and Reading Dunedin claimed $116,000 for 25 staff.

Event Cinemas said it would announce re-openings in the next few days.