Batam - CGV Grand Mall finally returned to operation on Friday (16/10/2020). This cinema was closed for more than 7 months.

CGV is the first cinema to resume operations. Apart from CGV, Cinema XXI has also been permitted, and it will certainly resume operations soon.

CGV Batam Manager, Bori Martha said that preparations to reopen this cinema had been made since several months ago, and finally it was agreed on Tuesday (12/10/2020).

"The goal is to keep customers comfortable watching movies during the current pandemic," said Bori at CGV Grand Mall Batam.

Bori said, there are several requirements for visitors who want to watch, related to the implementation of health protocols. Such as the obligation to check body temperature, wear a mask and maintain a distance.

Besides, there are other requirements, namely scanning a barcode, to collect data to make contact-tracing easier if a Covid-19 case is found. "So before watching, you must scan the barcode first," he said.

The cinema will also anticipate crowds because there are certain times when the audience arrives at the cinema at the same time. The cinema made a pause on the film screening schedule. Each studio will only be filled as much as 50 percent of the audience seating capacity.

"The anticipation is that we provide a pause of about 15 to 30 minutes between film screenings. So it is not played at the same time. This is to avoid crowd buildup as well," he explained.

A resident of Batam, Ando, ​​for example, admitted that he was happy with the reopening of the cinema again after waiting for months.

According to him, if the health protocol is implemented properly, it will likely be difficult to be exposed to Covid-19. "The important thing is the implementation of the health protocol. I see that this cinema has implemented the health protocol well. I hope this is a good sign," he said.