Cineworld to reopen cinemas in England on 10 July with new safety measures in place

Cineworld sites across the UK have been closed since 17 March

Cineworld has announced it will reopen cinemas in England on 10 July, with new measures in place to protect customers.

The cinema chain have confirmed that all of its sites in England will reopen, pending additional restrictions that may be announced by the UK government in the coming weeks. The reopening of Cineworld sites in Scotland, Wales and Ireland will be announced at a later date.

Customers will need to get used to things being different, however, with the chain announcing a number of new safety measures designed to prevent Covid-19 infection.

In a statement, Cineworld said that social distancing will be in place across all areas of the cinema, with friends and family sat in groups and separated from other customers in screening rooms.

There will also be staggered film times to ensure that no customers will mingle with those from other screening rooms while films begin and end.

Hand sanitisers will be provided for customers and employees, while plastic screens will be implemented at the concession stands.

Employees will also undertake special training in regards to cleaning and hand washing, and will be provided with PPE.

Cineworld did not confirm what will actually be showing at cinemas when they reopen. Mulan, which will be the first high-profile film to be released upon the reopening of cinemas, arrives on 24 July – two weeks after Cineworld plans to reopen.

Other films currently scheduled for release in the coming months include Tenet on 31 July and Bill and Ted Face the Music on 21 August.