In reaction to the growing threat of the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, Omniplex Cinemas have introduced seat separation to help safeguard patrons. The company made the decision to encourage social distancing in cinemas after a risk assessment analysis of the market. Other measures include ticket self-scanning of tickets and hand sanitising stations in foyers.
In-cinema seat separation is the cornerstone of the plan, whereby every second cinema seat will be unoccupied in a checkerboard pattern. The new measure gives a metre separation between each guest, as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). By reducing capacity by half, Omniplex hopes to give moviegoers some peace of mind in cinemas.
Omniplex, which is owned by the Anderson family, is the largest cinema chain on the island of Ireland, with over 245 screens in 32 locations. The new Omniplex Shannon comes in line with expansion plans for the West of Ireland with openings in Ballinasloe, Galway and Killarney and in the Midlands in Longford, Mullingar and Roscommon.
Su Duff, marketing and research director, Wide Eye Media, said cinema owners throughout Ireland are now limiting the larger auditoriums to no more than 100 people at a time, while also introducing the empty seat policy in line with the new social distancing measures. Cinema owners have out in place sanitising stations in foyers and toilets.
Self-ticket scanning is also available, along with regular contract cleaning in cinemas.
