When Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa asked the public to convey their hopes and suggestions earlier this week, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) wasted no time in proposing to reopen cinemas again.
In response, Annuar Musa replied that the government is set to announce something related to this soon. “Yes, I am aware of the situation faced by cinemas in Malaysia, and I have brought up the issue with National Security Council (NSC), together with other issues related to the creative industry. InsyaAllah, the government will announce something soon,” he tweeted back.
Guys please reply @AnnuarMusa to get us to #ReopenCinemas!! 🙏🏻 https://t.co/e70FIcJ40a
— GSC (@GSCinemas) September 2, 2021
Ya, saya sedar keadaan pawagam-pawagam di Malaysia dan saya sudah bawa isu ini ke MKN bersama isu-isu lain berkenaan industri kreatif. InsyaAllah kerajaan akan mengumumkan sesuatu tidak lama lagi. https://t.co/aytp8XQEyO
— Annuar Musa (@AnnuarMusa) September 3, 2021
Having been closed since last year, we’ve witnessed the closure of Malaysia’s third-largest cinema exhibitor, MBO Cinemas. Unlike other F&B and retail businesses, the film and cinema workforce have had little to no alternative source of income.
“Our nation’s economy and mental health is in a crisis and the prolonged closures affects not only livelihoods and businesses, but also the well-being of all Malaysians. If recreation and leisure activities can provide fully vaccinated individuals a brief respite, cinemas too can do the same safely and securely, as our stringent SOPs with compulsory masking and distanced seating do not allow physical contact and mingling in halls,” the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE) was quoted as saying.
No. pic.twitter.com/hcYH7TXwKY
— GSC (@GSCinemas) September 4, 2021
The MAFE has already prepared more enhanced SOPs if/when cinemas are allowed to reopen. It includes:
- Admittance to fully vaccinated audiences (only 14 days after second dose) – with proof of digital certificate of COVID-19 vaccination
- Encouraging contactless purchases for movie tickets & F&B
- Manning of cinemas by fully vaccinated staff members
- Enhanced PPEs for staff including double masking and face shields
“No clusters have ever been traced back to the cinema; people sit apart with their masks on at all time (unless eating or drinking); there is no mingling. I’d say it’s pretty safe to allow fully-vaccinated audiences back! #HelloWeCan #ReopenCinemas,” Twitter user @sharmineishak added.
Guys, tolong baca elok2 artikel tersebut
Pawagam masih BELUM dibenarkan beroperasi, artikel tersebut adalah HARAPAN dan KESEDIAAN pengusaha pawagam utk beroperasi dgn SOP ketat. Kita sama2 nantikan kalau ada pengumuman pembukaan semula cinema dlm masa terdekat kan YB @AnnuarMusa? https://t.co/aXw3c4DA7f— #ZHAFVLOG (@zhafvlog) September 4, 2021
Cinemas haven’t been given the green light to reopen just yet, but movie-goers are longing to watch the latest blockbusters on the big screen again.
Update (7th September):
Now that Prime Ministe Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced the ease of restrictions in the creative industry, cinemas are finally prepared to reopen for the fully vaccinated.
TGV Cinemas has just announced that the following criteria for those who are eligible to enter the cinema premises:
- Individuals must be able to produce Digital Certificate of Vaccination as proof when requested.
- Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac: +14 days from the date of completion of 2nd dose
- Johnson & Johnson, Cansino: +28 days from the date of completion of dose
- TGV will also be operating at 50% of our usual capacity to allow for proper social distancing in halls along with an age requirement of guests above 18 years of age.
GSC will be also be sharing their reopening updates soon.
