The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, ADDED, has issued a new circular allowing owners of cinemas inside shopping malls across Abu Dhabi to resume operations and open their doors to the public provided they comply to the precautionary measures being implemented to curb the spread of coronavirus, COVID-19.
The circular direct cinema owners to resume their activities at only 30 percent capacity of their halls. It also directs them to continuously sanitise and clean all their service facilities and common areas where food and beverage products are sold, a statement said.
The move was made in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for COVID-19 pandemic, an ADDED press release said on Monday.
Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Under-Secretary of ADDED, stated that the new circular is part of the department’s efforts to support the services and entertainment sectors and expedite their gradual return in providing various activities to better serve the members of the community following a series of closure circulars due to pandemic.
Al Balooshi added that cinema owners also should apply social distancing measures between visitors inside and outside the cinema halls; comply with wearing masks; and conduct COVID-19 tests for all their staff members. “Granting the cinema reopening permit is subject to the fulfillment of all the set of requirements,” he noted.
He mentioned that the circular includes ensuring the compliance to all the precautionary measures stipulated in other previously issued circulars concerning the resumption of activities, and that fully adhering to these measures are necessary to reopen cinemas, considering that a large number of people visit these venues, especially when new films are running.
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