Marshals will be stationed inside two of SM Downtown Premier’s cinemas for monitoring while minimum health safety protocols will be enforced to protect the moviegoers.

“The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) allows the operation of cinemas at half or 50 percent capacity in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). SM Downtown Premier asked us to inspect their cinemas and we did while we reminded them to observe minimum health safety protocols like physical distancing,” said Atty. Jose Edgardo Uy, who heads the Economic Cluster of City Hall’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during Tuesday morning’s (Aug. 11) press briefing.

Uy said among the measures set in places by mall management include a ‘two-seat’ apart’ seating arrangement for moviegoers, foot bath at the entrance and exit, temperature checks and wearing of face masks inside the cinema. “Moviegoers will also disinfect their hands with alcohol before and after every film screening,” Uy said.

Uy said moviegoers were also encouraged to book their tickets online to avoid the lines which will still be allowed provided each moviegoer stands one meter apart from each other. “We advised the mall management to implement a ‘no face mask, no ticket’ policy,” he said.

For her part Dr. Magdalena Juan reminded moviegoers to wear their face mask properly by making sure to cover both their noses and mouths. Markers were also in place to ensure one way flow of movement and minimize contact. “Management is also reminded to observe adequate time for disinfection inside the cinema to allow the odor to dissipate before allowing moviegoers to go inside,” Dr. Juan said.

Again, Uy said mini-movie theaters are barred from operating due to its cramped and enclosed space which prevents enforcement of physical distancing.

In contrast, SM Downtown Premier’s two cinemas can accommodate more than 200 moviegoers but will be allowed only 80 persons in compliance with physical distancing requirements.

Uy also said the management didn’t indicate that they would raise the prices of tickets to moviegoers. He confirmed that both City Mall in Barangay Bulua and SM Uptown signified their intention to open their cinemas to them subject to inspection and clearance from City Hall.