After being closed for more than a year because of the pandemic, Screenville Cinemas of Island City Mall and Alturas Mall will finally raise its curtains and resume showing blockbuster films on the widescreens, starting November 10.
This came following the downgraded Alert Level 2 in Bohol by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) which allows cinemas here to reopen, provided that safety measures are strictly to be enforced to ensure a safe viewing experience for the moviegoers.
In the latest media bulletin of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Screenville is among the only 8 theaters outside Metro Manila which are allowed to resume operations. Cinemas in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and other cities in Visayas and Mindanao are not yet permitted to operate as of this writing.
In greater Manila area which is under Alert Level 3 in the government’s new quarantine classification, only 22 moviehouses were given the go signal to reopen first, although some will follow soon.
Mr. Ariel Fullido of the Alturas Marketing Department said during the media interview by Ardie Batoy-Araneta and Dave Alvarado of DYTR’s “Open Forum” that moviegoers must be fully-vaccinated and will present his/her vax card at the ticket booth. Everybody must follow the same standard and safety protocols such as wearing of face mask and face shield and temperature check upon entry. The face shield can only be removed when the movie starts, but the face mask should be worn at all times.
Social distancing must be observed by sitting one seat apart, and Screenville allows only 50% seating capacity. Except bottled water, snacks and other foods are not allowed inside.
Screenville Cinemas will also undergo constant disinfection and sanitation in between screenings and after the last full show in the evening. In addition, all Screenville personnel are already fully vaccinated.
Mr. Fullido also announced to the viewing public that Screenville Cinemas have plenty of blockbuster films this year, as well as next year, not to mention the official entries of Metro Manila Film Festival 2021 which will open on Christmas Day, December 25. He mentioned some of the upcoming films such as sci-thriller “Dune” on November 10, the 25th James Bond film “No Time to Die” on November 17, Marvel Comics’ “ShangChi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” on November 24, and the much awaited world premiere of “Spider Man: No Way Home” on December 15.