AIBU to not understand how the face coverings rule will work in cinemas?

[PossiblePoodleParent]

Totally get the importance of wearing them as much as possible outside of the home and when not in the fresh air. Not anti-mask at all.

But I'm confused as to how they will work in cinemas. People tend to eat and drink during screenings, it's a big part of the fun! Popcorn etc. But you can't do this while wearing a mask, and if you keep touching it to take it on and off repeatedly in order to eat/drink then the whole point of wearing it becomes somewhat moot.

I saw one bit of info, for Odeon I think, that explained they would require face coverings while in the complex generally but they could be removed while seated in order to enjoy food/drink. So masks for entry/exit, visiting the loo, walking past others rather than 100% of the time you're in the building. I guess that would make sense? But most cinemas are just saying 'face coverings required' with no further info, and that's not much help.

AIBU for being confused? Can anyone enlighten me? Especially if you work in a cinema!

I'm confused on this too. My local Odeon has delayed opening due to making "changes". If I'm honest I think for people sitting up in the back corners in the dark, it would be very hard to police.

I expect you'd pull it down to eat/drink and then pull it back up again, just as you would on a plane journey?

I can’t imagine they’re going to be sending staff around while the film was on to check whether people are wearing masks or not even if they are on paper saying that’s what’s happening. Can you imagine how much that would affect the film showing? Cinemas are in trouble as it is.

I assume it’ll be as you say, wear them elsewhere in the cinema and then they’ll have some seats closed to allow for social distancing

Basically it's not safe (because it's an enclosed space with air con), but they need to make money so they're covering their arses by saying you have to wear face coverings. I doubt anyone will check once you're sat down.

There’s not any sense to it, just like there’s no sense that you have to wear a mask to get a take away but don’t if you eat in at the same place. But I guess they’re thinking something is better than nothing?

I suppose much depends on whether it is 'reasonably necessary' to eat and drink in the cinema? That seems to be the rule on public transport? No idea what happens on planes, I've not travelled anywhere except on foot or in my car since lockdown started. I thought we were all still supposed to be avoiding public transport wherever possible?

My local independent cinema says wear them in the lobby/entrance, in the queue to buy food and in the loo and moving around the building generally. Once you are seated you may remove due to allocated socially distant seating. You can keep it on while seating if you prefer. Obviously you can then eat and drink as you wish and can either then put it back on or leave it off for the duration of the film while seated.

@Honeyroar

There’s not any sense to it, just like there’s no sense that you have to wear a mask to get a take away but don’t if you eat in at the same place. But I guess they’re thinking something is better than nothing?

That makes sense to me because it's about limiting the spread of the virus wherever possible.

And it's obviously impossible to wear a mask while you eat and drink.

It is completely unnecessary to eat/drink during a 2 hour film but the Cinemas do make a fortune out of selling food and drink.

That'll be why they're not banning it.

It won't work.

that's why we will not be choosing to go

We went to the cinema last night for the first time since Feb. We wore the mask until we sat down and took it off and put it in my bag. We put it back on when we got up to leave. 2/3 times during the film a staff member came in which they have always done but left again after about 30 seconds. It was dead, there were 2 other couples in there and we were sat no where near each other

Worraliberty That is my biggest pet hate about the cinema and why I very rarely go. Because ive just paid a fortune to spend 2 hours listening to everyone around me munching, crunching, slurping and rustling.

@BarefootHippieChick

Worraliberty That is my biggest pet hate about the cinema and why I very rarely go. Because ive just paid a fortune to spend 2 hours listening to everyone around me munching, crunching, slurping and rustling.

Mine too really

As a kid, I used to love it when my mum would take a packet of Fruit Pastilles or something for me and perhaps a small carton of drink. It somehow just made the experience more enjoyable.

But nowadays, it's full of smelly foods bought from the lobby, people slurping huge buckets of drinks and as you say munching, crunching and rustling.

I agree - I'm not anti-mask and have worn one on public transport, in shops etc. without complaint but I think the original announcement that they had to be worn upon arrival and walking around the cinema but not in the auditorium made more sense. Cinemas aren't packed at the moment anyway, I went with my brother on Thursday and there were only about four groups of people including us all spread out.

I think I'll still go and see how it goes but I'm not looking forward to my glasses fogging up whilst I'm trying to lose myself in the film

We went to our local (massive) odeon last night. We were in the biggest of the screens, with about 12 other people all who were distanced. When I booked our tickets we had the whole screen to ourselves!

We wore masks from the underground car park, through the complex of restaurants and bars, up to the cinema to pick up tix and then up to the screen itself. We did remove them during the movie but put them on to go to the loo/when it finished.

It was a lot more organised and socially distanced than the bars and restaurants around which looked like a free for all. We watched massive groups of people milling about. This was in the centre of one of the south coast towns that has been inundated with tourists.

I'll take my chance in the cinema but I won't be back in the town until it calms down. It was like a bad night on the Costas when we left at 10.30 with groups of drunken louts and masses.

worraliberty ah the good old days of a 10p pick n mix to see you through the film, not a 6 foot long hot dog with mustard followed by nachos with sour cream and onion 🙄