Cinema puts plan to reopen on hold until stage three
THE Mallard Cinema is waiting until stage three of the exit from lockdown to reopen.
When the move into stage two was announced, it was expected it could reopen from Monday with a brand new film release, Chaos Walking, starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley.
Masks would have been mandatory while in the building, except for when eating and drinking, with social distancing between groups, a limit of 20 viewers per screen, staggered start and finish times and contact details provided to support the contact tracing team.
But yesterday, the decision was taken to remain closed.
‘With regret, following further conversations with Public Health regarding mandatory face masks and the need for their temporary removal to consume food/drink items in the screens, the cinema will have to remain closed until stage three,’ a spokesman said.
‘Our priority is always the comfort and safety of our guests and staff.
‘We hope to see everyone soon when we get to stage three – it shouldn’t be too much longer now.’
After delayed film releases a bumper line-up is expected for this year’s schedule and the cinema staff are excited to welcome customers back as soon and as safely as possible.
Civil Contingencies Authority chairman Deputy Peter Ferbrache said yesterday that unless anything untoward happened, the island could expect to move to stage three on Monday 22 March.
