Gov’t outlines guidelines on easing of restriction on cinemas

The headache and daily worry of movie producers, investors and all stakeholders in the movie Industry are on the process of getting solution to the highest score as government sees to the easing of restrictions on the operations of cinemas and theatres in the country. 

In a communique sighted by thepublisheronline.com, the Ghana Tourism Authority led by Akwasi Agyeman has prompted operators to apply for a permit to enable them start operating to the public.

The GUIDELINES are as follows: 

OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THEATRES AND CINEMA HALLS
Cinema Halls/Theatres shall operate with the following enhanced hygiene and safety protocols:

A. GENERAL
i. Cinema/Theatre establishments must train in-house stewards who will be responsible for COVID-19 protocols. Name and contacts must be submitted to the Ghana Tourism Authority. The Ghana Health Service will provide capacity building as support.

ii. Only Cinema/Theatre Establishments licensed by the Ghana Tourism Authority shall operate

iii. The premiering of movies at any other venue must be approved by the Ghana Tourism Authority

B. NOTIFICATIONS
i. Display of “No Masks No Entry” signage to ensure mandatory wearing of face masks before entry and upon entry at all times.
ii. Display of “No Eating, No Drinking at the Cinema Hall/Theatre

iii. Display of notification “Go for Your COVID-19 Vaccine” at the entrance

iv. Display of notification on COVID-19 precautionary measures

v. Display of contact details of an Ambulance service and the nearest health facility

C. ENTRANCE/EXIT PROTOCOLS
i. A clear instruction on entry/exit of patrons must be made available
ii. Stewards must coordinate the entry and exit of patrons
iii. Mandatory checking of temperature of both employees and patrons before entry by trained stewards
iv. Vital details of all patrons must be taken i.e., name, telephone number and temperature record to monitor attendance and temperature of patrons as well as aid contact tracing if the need arises

D. TICKETING & PAYMENTS
i. Electronic pre-booking must be encouraged.

ii. Use of POS devices or electronic payments (e.g. MOMO, Vodafone cash etc.) must be encouraged.

E. IN-HALL PROTOCOLS
i. Sensitization on COVID-19 precautionary measures must be done before every movie/drama show

ii. Duration of a movie/drama show shall not exceed two (2) hours

iii. Duration between movie/drama sessions shall be within a minimum of thirty (30) minutes
iv. Enhanced ventilation must be maintained

v. Regular disinfection of the interior of cinema hall/theatre (In-between movie/drama show).

vi. Provision of hand sanitizer dispensers at vantage points

vi. All staff and patrons must wear face masks

vii. Face masks shall be made available to patrons

vii. Intermittent reminders on wearing of face masks must be ensured by stewards

F. SOCIAL DISTANCING
i. Floor signs must be placed to maintain physical distancing particularly at the entrance

ii. Ensure adequate spacing for seating to maintain physical distancing of at least 1 metre

iii. Physical distancing shall be maintained at the lounge

G. CLEANING PROTOCOLS
i. Provision of adequate hand-washing apparatus (running water, veronica buckets, soap together with tissues and 70% alcohol-based sanitizer)

ii. Adequate, spacious and covid-19 friendly washrooms must be provided.

iii. Thorough cleaning in the washrooms must be done intermittently.

iv. Disinfect all surfaces at the cinema hall/theatre e.g. floors, door knobs, toilets, chairs, counter tops, computers etc. regularly.

v. Staff and patrons must wash hands regularly as they may have cleaned or touched objects or surfaces such as door handles, hand rails etc. that may have been contaminated by staff or patrons.

H. ISOLATION FACILITY
i. Provision of designated isolation areas in the facility

I. DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED WASTE
i. Proper management and disposal of contaminated waste (used tissues, face mask etc) according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health must be adhered to.

J. APPROVAL/CERTIFICATION
Approval will be by the issuance of a regular operational licence for Cinema/Theatre establishments and a provisional licence (in the case of premiering of a movie at any other venue) by the Ghana Tourism Authority.

K. MONITORING MECHANISM
The following modalities will be adopted to ensure the compliance of the operational guidelines;
 Mystery patrons
 Exit interviews with patrons
 Interactions with patrons
 Use of check list to monitor adherence to the operational guidelines

L. ENFORCEMENT
A team will conduct routine enforcement and when necessary seek the assistance of the Ghana Police Service.