Masks in cinema

[Sebw]

Do you need to keep them on when watching the film or can you use eating and drinking as an excuse to keep them off

If I was sitting near you, I would be happier and wiser if you kept your mask on as much as possible, but know that some people can make a tub of popcorn last the whole film.

I'd be keeping mine on out of pure self interest tbh...

You buy a huge tub of popcorn and leave it off as you’re eating it. It should last the whole film 😉

I won't be wearing mine while seated.

@Mindymomo

If I was sitting near you, I would be happier and wiser if you kept your mask on as much as possible, but know that some people can make a tub of popcorn last the whole film.

How would you be wiser if the OP kept their mask on?

"As an excuse" doesn't exactly fill me with confidence that we'll ever get out of this mess.

We went to our local indie cinema in October when things eased off and were asked to keep masks on unless you were eating/drinking.

Staff didn't actively check people throughout but I most just moved their masks when they had to.

You need to check with the venue. Some require masks inside the auditorium, some don't. Some are saying no food and drink inside at the moment.
Just check. The website of the cinema will have it.

Our local one says you don’t need to wear one whilst seated, however they’re leaving huge gaps between each booked groups of people.

I think the point is, whether you like or dislike the rules if you choose to go somewhere where they're in place you should stick to them.

No one is forcing you to go.

And this is why I won't be going near a cinema for sometime

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross.
sorry, don’t know why I added wiser.
Note to self don’t insert words that do not make sense.

Oh how very witty of you @Marble2302 🙄🤦‍♀️

You won’t be sitting next to someone though , you’ll be distanced. It’ll be like when you are in a restaurant take them off when sat down , wear them walking about .
Do seriously people still need to ask this months after masks have been mandatory.

Only taken off when eating or drinking.

A scarf or bandana or snood is a face covering, which you might find easier.

@Marble2302 sadly a reflection of the truth for too many, which makes it more difficult for those who genuinely cannot wear a face covering for very long. When I was in Germany in September no-one seemed to have difficulties in wearing a face covering.

@Imnothereforthedrama

You won’t be sitting next to someone though , you’ll be distanced. It’ll be like when you are in a restaurant take them off when sat down , wear them walking about . Do seriously people still need to ask this months after masks have been mandatory.

I know of at least one cinema that requires you to wear a mask throughout the film and is saying no food and drink can be taken into the auditorium. People need to check. Individual cinemas are implementing their own requirements.

We were considering going to the cinema, but the phrase "as an excuse" puts me off. If someone genuinely needs to eat/needs a drink, fair enough take it off for a short while, but trying to find an excuse to get out of wearing a mask, isn't going to help anyone. Surely you can cope for a couple of hours, there are many of us who spend our working day talking in a mask and have to cope.

Does anyone know how distanced you'll be? We were considering trying the cinema, but reading "as an excuse" doesn't convince me I'll feel safe in there.

I have to wear a mask all day at work, just get on with it. Work has told us if a customer hasn't got a mask on and we're not feeling comfortable we can ask to be 2m apart, if they refuse/don't understand, then we can refuse to serve them and they'll be no come back. Wish other places would support their staff/customers more.

@ifonly4 I can't speak for everywhere but when we went every second row was cordoned off and groups of 4 seats were available at either end of the aisles so no one needed to pass you to get to the middle.

As others have said, double check with the cinema, it should have it online before you book. Ours is socially distanced and you can take the mask off which I did before and will do the next time I go.

You are supposed to leave your mask on when seated unless you are eating/drinking, like on a plane. Obviously there's people nursing a box of popcorn so they can keep a mask off. I think cinemas are supposed to operate on 50%capacity but once in the screen people move from seats and don't distance. You really just have to accept the risk if deciding to go to the cinema as it's an enclosed space with little ventilation and where people congregate.

Interestingly, there have been no reported outbreaks linked to cinemas (even early in the pandemic when social distancing and mask requirements were not mandated across the board). The higher risk activities generally involve talking while in cinemas people are usually quiet.

I suspect that is because cinema sales were so pitiful when they reopened. And also cinemas not following correct procedure for taking personal details and people giving fake details