"Social Distancing Level 2, Are Movie Theaters Safe?" Controversy Over Inadequate Quarantine Rules, What Do You Think?

Strengthened Social Distancing from the 19th
Experts "Strict Measures Needed for Multi-use Facilities"
Cinema Officials "Adjusting Quarantine Rules Following Government's Social Distancing Upgrade"

A movie theater inside a complex shopping mall in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Ga-yeon Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As social distancing level 2 is implemented due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Seoul metropolitan area, concerns among moviegoers are growing regarding quarantine rules inside movie theaters.

Civilians unanimously stated, "We should refrain from going out for the time being," but also emphasized, "Detailed guidelines should be provided so that citizens who go out can comply with the quarantine rules."

Experts stressed the need to strengthen quarantine measures in movie theaters as multi-use facilities and to protect both consumers and the film industry.

The government announced on the 18th that enhanced quarantine measures will be implemented from 12 a.m. on the 19th. Accordingly, all gatherings, meetings, and events with 50 or more people indoors and 100 or more people outdoors are prohibited, and 12 types of high-risk facilities such as clubs, karaoke rooms, buffets, and PC rooms, as well as indoor national and public facilities, will be suspended. The list of facilities required to comply with quarantine rules will be expanded for two weeks, and movie theaters must mandatorily follow these rules.

Meanwhile, criticism continues that the COVID-19 quarantine guidelines inside screening rooms are insufficient. Although health authorities urge social distancing between seats, mask-wearing, and refraining from eating inside theaters, these are only recommendations and difficult to enforce.

Large screening rooms can accommodate more than 50 people but have no capacity restrictions, and there are no special measures regarding concession stand operations, leading to criticism that the responsibility for quarantine is effectively being shifted entirely onto consumers.

A 26-year-old office worker, Lee, who recently visited a movie theater, said, "I never expected there to be people sitting right next to me until I entered the screening room. Previously, I think they spaced out one or two seats, but three seats were together, which surprised me," adding, "Moreover, I felt very uneasy because the person next to me was eating popcorn while watching the movie."

Lee added, "I know they recommend refraining from eating, but since there are practically no penalties and the theater does not take any special measures, as a regular viewer, there was nothing I could do," and "There are many movies I want to see, but I think I won’t visit for a while because of the anxiety."

A movie theater located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Ga-yeon Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

In the case of multiplexes such as CGV, previously only single or double seat bookings were allowed under the 'seat distancing' policy, but as of the morning of the 19th, it has been confirmed that bookings for three consecutive seats are now possible.

Although there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 spread inside theaters so far, given the serious spread in the metropolitan area and ongoing cases of transmission during food consumption, there are calls for preemptive measures in movie theaters as well.

There is an opinion that preventive measures can prevent greater economic losses and the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, if social distancing is raised to level 3, gatherings, meetings, and events of 10 or more people will be banned, and operations of medium-risk facilities including movie theaters will be suspended, leading to even greater economic losses, according to a bleak forecast.

Given this situation, the Korea Film Council started the 'Watching Movies in Daily Life' campaign on the 14th, distributing 6,000 won discount coupons for admission to encourage viewing, highlighting the need for special caution.

Especially, since new releases such as director Christopher Nolan’s 'Tenet,' which were postponed due to COVID-19, are scheduled to be released one after another from the end of this month, voices are calling for strengthened COVID-19 prevention inside theaters.

In some other countries, mask-wearing inside movie theaters is mandatory, and penalties for violations are being expanded. In the UK, a fine of 100 pounds (approximately 150,000 KRW) is imposed for not wearing a mask in movie theaters, public transportation, shops, museums, etc. The regulation is planned to be changed so that repeated violations can result in fines up to 3,200 pounds (about 5 million KRW).

Belgium has mandated mask-wearing indoors including movie theaters, museums, and shopping centers since the 11th of last month, imposing a fine of 250 euros (about 340,000 KRW) for violations, and Singapore limits entry to a maximum of 50 people per screening room by enforcing social distancing inside theaters.

A movie theater located in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. Photo by Kay Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

Experts emphasized that it is most important for viewers to strictly follow preventive rules such as seat distancing and mask-wearing inside theaters.

Professor Lee Eun-hee of Inha University’s Department of Consumer Studies said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 19th, "COVID-19 is spreading again, so consumers’ anxiety is very high," and suggested, "It is necessary to take thorough measures for multi-use facilities where unspecified many people gather."

Professor Lee added, "The government is raising awareness and urging caution among consumers, but if measures are inconsistent, consumers will inevitably worry," and "It is necessary to take measures for all possibilities."

A movie theater official stated that they will protect customers’ safety through proactive preventive activities such as readjusting seat distances inside theaters.

Hwang Jae-hyun, head of the CJ CGV Communications Team, said, "With the upgrade to social distancing level 2, seat readjustments and refund measures will be implemented," emphasizing, "We will do our best so that audiences can use the facilities with peace of mind."

He added, "For the 'Tenet' premiere screening scheduled for the coming weekend, we will separately notify customers about cancellations and re-bookings," and regarding food consumption, said, "Since the seats face one direction, there are no additional measures."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced a public address at the Government Seoul Office on the 18th, stating, "The government has decided to strengthen social distancing in the metropolitan area to quickly block the spread of infection. The target areas include not only Seoul and Gyeonggi Province but also Incheon, which shares the living area."

Prime Minister Chung expressed concern, saying, "The spread is not calming down, and the transmission speed is fast, raising concerns about a nationwide pandemic. We are at a critical juncture where rapid nationwide spread could occur," and "If we fail to regain control of the quarantine network now, we will have no choice but to consider raising social distancing to level 3, which will cause a great shock to our country’s economy and people’s livelihoods."

He continued, "Please have a sense of crisis that infection can occur anytime and anywhere, and stay home as much as possible except for essential outings such as commuting," emphasizing, "This measure is the last choice to protect daily life and family. If this safety line collapses, we will have no more options."