Cineworld has officially confirmed today that it will be reopening screens across the country in July and has also released a detailed statement on how it intends to operate.
The cinema chain will be be welcoming visitors to screens in England from Friday 10th July.
The opening date is subject to final clarifications and confirmation in regards to UK government restrictions and dates for reopening cinemas in Scotland, Wales and Ireland are expected to follow.
Films lined-up to be shown upon reopening include Mulan, Tenet, A Quiet Place Part II and No Time To Die.
Cineworld is the second-largest cinema chain in the world, operating 128 branches in the UK & Ireland and a number of which are based in Greater Manchester.
In order to provide a safe environment for employees and guests in light of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Cineworld has released a comprehensive list of safety measures it is putting in place ahead of reopening next month:
SOCIAL DISTANCING
– Social distancing measures will be implemented across all areas within the cinema.
HAND WASHING
– All employee and customer toilets will be stocked with anti-bacterial hand soap, and stringent hand washing guidelines will be trained out to all employees to supplement our current personal hygiene policy.
HAND SANITISERS
– Hand sanitiser stations will be provided in all cinemas for customers and employees.
ADDITIONAL CLEANING
Cineworld’s already high cleaning standards will be enhanced by a cleaning programme designed to sanitise the high touch points within the cinema.
E-TICKETING
– Tickets will be available to book in advance on our website and via the Cineworld app, available on IOS and Android. Confirmation emails can be used as tickets, and e-tickets are available on the app.
UPDATED SEATING MAPS
– The booking system has been updated to allow friends and family to sit together while ensuring a safe distance between customers from different households in our cinema screens.
This will vary on the capacity and layout of each screen.
STAGGERED FILM TIMES
– Film start and end times will be staggered to reduce customers cross paths with other customers going in or out of other screens and buildup of crowds in the foyer. Additional cleaning time will also be added between films.
PLASTIC SCREENS AT THE TILL
– Screens will be added at concessions areas where safe distancing cannot be maintained.
CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS
– Tills will be accepting contactless card payments up to a value of £45 and Apple Pay/Google Pay mobile payments with no limit. The ticket machines in most of cinemas will also accept contactless payments and the rest will be upgrading in due course.
TRAINING & PPE
– All employees will receive specific COVID-19 training and PPE will be provided to employees where the risk assessment has deemed it necessary, in line with government requirements.
SUPPORT FROM TEAM MEMBERS
Trained staff will be on hand to offer assistance to customers.
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For more information ahead of reopening, you can visit the Cineworld website here.