CAPE TOWN - Ster-Kinekor, one of South Africa's biggest movie exhibitors, said on Tuesday that they will be opening their doors at certain locations Friday, August 28, but with many changes put in place for the health and safety of customers and staff.
Ster-Kinekors cinemas have been closed since March 27 and plan on the phased reopening of cinemas next week Friday with 32 cinemas resuming operation, while the remaining 21 cinemas will reopen on September 18.
Although cinemas and theatres were allowed to reopen on the July 6, Ster-Kinekor had been preparing since to ensure the safety of all customers and staff.
Deputy CEO Motheo Matsau said, "We have taken every step to ensure the safe return of our guests and staff to the cinema with our staff having undergone extensive Covid-19 operations training."
The company has implemented a number of health and safety measures such as frequent sanitisation of frequently touched surfaces and objects like seats, hand railings and lounge areas with each cinema sanitised before and after each show.
Ster-Kinekor movie tickets and snacks must be purchased through their app or website in efforts to reduce contact with minimal transactions.
All staff will be screened each day before doors open as well as between shifts with the wearing of masks compulsory for all staff and customers, who will also require temperature screening when entering the foyer.
Measures taken inside the cinema include seat regulation, floor markings within the foyer to assist with safe physical distancing along with regulated numbers withing the foyers at all times. Exiting the cinema after the show will follow a row-by-row system starting from the back with customers discarding empty snack containers and packets in the provided dustbins as exiting.
"We’ve put in place key changes that make every Ster-Kinekor cinema safe for you, your family, friends and employees," Ster-Kinekor said.
We're excited to announce that we'll be reopening cinemas from Friday 28th August 2020. Your health & safety is our top priority. We’ve put in place key changes that make every Ster-Kinekor cinema safe for you, your family, friends and employees #DoMoviesRight #SterKinekor pic.twitter.com/1RH2yWaya7
— Ster-Kinekor (@sterkinekor) August 19, 2020
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