China to reopen movie theaters as epidemic wanes

BEIJING Chinese movie theaters in lowrisk areas have been allowed to resume operation starting from July 20 following an improvement in the COVID19 epidemic situation, the China Film Administration announced Thursday. These movie theaters should reopen on the premise that proper prevention and control measures have been put into place, the administration said in a circular, noting that cinemas should suspend their operation once their localities are adjusted to be medium or highrisk areas. Attendance per show must not exceed 30 percent, according to a guideline on the sector’s work resumption issued by the Chinese Film Circulation and Projection Association on Thursday. Cinemas are required to sell nonadjacent tickets in every other row, and moviegoers who are strangers to each other should keep a distance of at least one meter. All moviegoers must make realname reservations and purchase tickets online. Those who do not wear masks or with a body temperature above 37.3 degrees Celsius will not be admitted into the theaters, the guideline read.

( Xinhua )