Select Cineplex theatres reopen in BC today with $5 movies
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COVID-19 disclaimer: As recommended by BC’s provincial health officer, if you choose to take part in recreational activities in public spaces please adhere to coronavirus health safety measures, including proper physical distancing, wearing a mask, and remaining at home if you show symptoms of cold or flu.
Cineplex will be reopening eight theatres across British Columbia this Friday after a several month-long closures.
More than 160 theatres across Canada shuttered in mid-March. The company says that it plans to open “as many locations as possible” in all provinces where they receive permission.
The following theatres across BC will reopen on Friday, July 3:
- Cineplex Cinemas Metropolis – Burnaby
- Cineplex Cinemas Orchard Plaza – Kelowna
- Cineplex Cinemas Langley – Langley
- Galaxy Cinemas Nanaimo – Nanaimo
- SilverCity Riverport Cinemas – Richmond
- Cineplex Cinemas Strawberry Hill – Surrey
- Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver – Vancouver
- SilverCity Victoria Cinemas – Victoria
Cineplex is taking a phased approach to reopening and hopes to open the majority of theatres remaining in BC throughout the month of July.
To “welcome movie-lovers back,” the company says that they’ll be offering $5 tickets on popular releases such as Bloodshot, The Invisible Man, Sonic The Hedgehog, Jumanji: The Next Level, Bad Boys for Life, Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey, and I Still Believe.
Theatres will open with enhanced safety and cleaning measures, as well as modified procedures.
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Health and safety measures
Auditoriums including seats, handrails, and children’s booster seats will be wiped down with industrial-grade cleaning products between each showtime. Touchpoint screens will be wiped down every 30 minutes or less, and hand sanitizer will be readily available in lobbies and common areas.
Employees will be required to declare if they are symptom-free and are instructed to stay home if they have coronavirus symptoms or the flu. They will be sent home immediately if they begin to show signs throughout their shift.
All employees will be required to wear face coverings and masks at all times.
Cineplex is recommending that guests wear a mask when they enter the theatre and said they will supply face masks free of charge for patrons. Plexiglass shields have also been installed at all employee-facing points of sale.
Employees will have access to gloves and must wash their hands every half hour at least.
Reserved seating will be in effect at every auditorium to “ensure compliance with physical distancing guidelines.” Auditorium capacity is also being reduced and staggered to adhere to public health directions.
Specific sections, tables, and machines might be unavailable in order to meet physical distancing guidelines in certain common areas throughout Cineplex theatres.
Ticketing
Cineplex box offices will be closed and clients are urged to use the self-serve kiosks, the Cineplex website, or the Cineplex app to purchase tickets to reduce interactions between people.
Food and drink
Limited concessions will be available, and toppings, biodegradable straws, napkins, utensils, and condiments are available upon request at concessions. Kitchen staff will be wearing masks, and Cineplex says food will be prepared in “accordance with our enhanced staff hand-washing practices and local health regulations.”
Theatre room
All seats are reserved-only throughout Cineplex and guests are asked to select seats in advance via the theatre’s website or the Cineplex App.
Guests are required to sit in their reserved seats for the entirety of the screening and are asked not to sit in empty seats or rows. If a seat change is required, moviegoers are to ask an employee for assistance.
When leaving, Cineplex is asking clients to take their garbage with them and exit the theatre one row at a time and maintain physical distancing on the way out.
VIP Cinemas will remain closed for the time being.
Washrooms
Guests are asked to maintain physical distancing while waiting in line for the washroom and the theatre chain has staggered some stalls and urinals to ensure added space. Patrons are asked to wash their hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
Lounge capacity has been reduced to ensure physical distancing, and there will be no seating at the theatre VIP bar.
Food offerings have been temporarily reduced, but full beer, wine, and cocktail menus are still available. Cineplex encourages guests to place “contactless orders” through the Cineplex app or directly through the auditorium’s in-house server.
With files from Ty Jadah.