Most Hong Kong cinemas ban eating or drinking inside theatres ahead of reopening
- Three major cinema chains say eating or drinking will not be allowed when they reopen on Thursday
- From April 21, film-goers and cinema staff must have had three vaccine doses in order for food and drinks to be served
Most of Hong Kong’s cinemas have banned eating or drinking inside their theatres, even for customers who have received three doses of a coronavirus vaccine, ahead of their reopening under eased social-distancing rules.
Three major cinema chains said on Tuesday that eating or drinking would not be allowed when they resumed services on Thursday after more than 100 days of closure.
Multiplex Cinema (MCL), Broadway Circuit and Golden Harvest run 14, 13 and 10 theatres, respectively. The trio account for 58 per cent of Hong Kong’s 64 cinemas.
The venues opted out of plans to serve food and drinks after a government announcement last week that the city would relax social-distancing curbs on businesses, adding that film-goers and cinema staff from April 21 must have received three vaccine doses in order for food and drinks to be served.
Patrons will also need to follow rules in the city’s vaccine pass scheme to enter theatres, under which residents aged 12 or above are required to have at least one dose of a vaccine by April 29, two jabs between April 30 and May 30 and three doses from May 31.
Industry professionals said it could be difficult for staff to ensure food and drinks were not served to those who had not received all three jabs.