Keyword: Social Distancing
It’s no secret that the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has taken the country by storm. This disease, which has already been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) has affected not only businesses but also school and work— down to our lifestyle. Just think— there’s a class suspension until April, a government-mandated community quarantine that prevents us from going in and out of Metro Manila, adjusted mall hours, and even a curfew in some cities. And let’s not forget social distancing.
So near and yet so far
Loosely defined as minimal physical interaction in order to prevent the spread of disease, social distancing means waves instead of handshakes, flying kisses instead of actual kisses (let alone beso beso), among others. The less skinship, the better.
Most restaurants may have been sanitizing and imposing temperature checks, while one fast-food delivery service has implemented the no-contact policy, but that’s not all. Even cinemas have caught on, adopting social distancing in the form of a seat-gap policy.
Vista Cinemas, for example, has imposed a two-seat apart rule for moviegoers. But before that, they will first suspend operations effective March 15 for 2 weeks to sanitize the entire cinema.
https://www.facebook.com/vistacinemas/photos/a.974193112676432/2740526246043101/?type=3&theater
On the other hand, Megaworld Cinemas imposed a single-seat gap in their regular cinemas effective March 14…
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9qQM3ehNT9/
… and SM Cinema did the same too but started on March 13.
https://www.facebook.com/SMCinema/photos/a.10151547382656859/10157297648496859/?type=3&theater
Some cinemas though didn’t want to take any chances. Ayala Malls made the decision to close their cinemas effective March 15…
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9s-39Ans75/
… just like Ortigas Cinemas, who closed their doors on March 14 for a more stringent version of social distancing.
https://www.facebook.com/EstanciaPH/photos/a.226445534190960/1524627147706119/?type=3&theater
What measures do you think should cinemas do? Implement a seat gap policy or close the cinema all together? Let us know in the comments below!
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