The Supreme Committee tasked with dealing with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has allowed cinema halls across the Sultanate to resume operations after a hiatus arising from the COVID-19 restrictions.

However, as these cinema theatres begin operations today, there are precautions to be followed, stated the Muscat Municipality.

In a statement to the public, the public body revealed that cinema halls will have to adhere to the following rules:

1) Train all workers with procedures related to safety,sterilisation, and social distancing.

2) Install social distancing floor stickers to delineate personal boundaries and create physical space between customers.

3) Set the necessary guidance to delineate personal boundaries and create physical space between individuals (2meters).

4) Provide disinfectant containing at least 70 per cent alcohol and limit the number of customers to 50 per cent capacity only.

5) Conduct health checks for workers regularly and ensure safe distance between customers at the ticket windows with just one queue.

6) Encourage customers to use the electronic booking system for tickets and meals.

7) Turn off all self-service touchscreen ticketing machines.

8) Comply with hygiene and sterilisation standards established by other competent authorities.

9) Measure the body temperature of people before entry, and exclude those with temperatures above 37-degree Celsius or show symptoms of sickness.

10) Require all people, workers, customers, and visitors to wear face masks.

11) Document the disinfection operation in a record with the disinfectant being mentioned.

12) Leave at least 15 minutes between films so as to not cause congestion at the main entrance.

13) Serve food and beverages in disposable single-use cans and packaging in small sizes to avoid sharing as much as possible.

14) Reorganise the seats at the reception area to maintain social distancing and avoid distributing publications and brochures for shows and films.

15) Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfection of common surfaces using appropriate materials that focus on the following:

• Door handles, stairs, and lifts
• Reception and ticket purchase areas
• Ticket machines
• Meal sale area
• Seats (after each show)
• Restrooms