国内英语资讯:China Focus: Chinese cinemas reopen after COVID-19 closure_时事

国内英语资讯:China Focus: Chinese cinemas reopen after COVID-19 closure

The eastern Chinese city also saw more than 100,000 tickets sold in 10 minutes Monday morning for movies to be screened during the Shanghai International Film Festival, which will kick off Saturday.

In Beijing, which lowered its COVID-19 emergency response from level II to III Monday, cinemas were still in preparation for reopening. Cinemas in some southern Chinese cities also said the preparation had not finished as the prolonged closure and the rainy season left their seats moldy.

A guideline issued by the Chinese Film Circulation and Projection Association asked cinemas to limit their attendance per show to 30 percent capacity and sell non-adjacent tickets in every other row.

Moviegoers must make real-name reservations, wear masks and those who do not know each other should keep a distance of at least one meter, the guideline read.

"We will designate seven to eight employees to enforce epidemic prevention measures. They will conduct inspections during the screening to remind the audience to keep their masks on," said You Wuqiang, manager of a cinema in the city of Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Tan Sishu, assistant manager of BeiChen Fortune Center Cinema in the city of Kunming, Yunnan Province, said they will disinfect movie halls and shopping areas every day. Items frequently touched by the audience, including seat armrests and 3D glasses, will be regularly cleaned.

"We have stopped selling coke and popcorn. Moviegoers can bring mineral water inside, but we still recommend them to drink in a dedicated resting area," Tan added.