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Original poster

Masks in cinema

113 replies

Sebw · 17/05/2021 01:20

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

OP posts:
CharlotteRose90 · 17/05/2021 17:16

@valnevavaxx

I think you mean if you don't want to wear a mask you'd watch a film at home *@CharlotteRose90*, because at home you don't have to wear one whereas at the cinema you do?
Nope luckily my cinema only ask you to wear a mask till you’re seated or if the cinema is completely full which it never is so I’m fine. I’m heading there Friday and won’t be wearing one once seated.
SunshineThelma · 17/05/2021 17:19

I'd been talking to OH today about going to the cinema and suggesting it would feel ok because people have to wear masks, but from the state of these replies I won't be hurrying back soon.

Mrgrinch · 17/05/2021 17:28

I think I'll just keep mine on, only taking it off for a drink. I usually enjoy popcorn but I'm a slow eater and it takes me the length of the film to eat it so I'll just do without so I can keep my mask on.

What films do people recommend seeing? I haven't looked what's out yet.

Silverparting · 17/05/2021 17:40

@herecomesthsun

we will consider drive in movies, if they don't go on too late
We've done a few of these. Great when not raining or extreme heat/sun.
CharlotteRose90 · 17/05/2021 17:43

@Mrgrinch

I think I'll just keep mine on, only taking it off for a drink. I usually enjoy popcorn but I'm a slow eater and it takes me the length of the film to eat it so I'll just do without so I can keep my mask on.

What films do people recommend seeing? I haven't looked what's out yet.

The new cruella is out along with a few scary films I believe. Not sure about anything else but cruella is on my list first.
SwimBaby · 17/05/2021 18:08

I’m going to watch the new Angelina Jolie one on Thursday evening, then have a meal out on Saturday. Can’t believe I have 2 nights out that are actually inside coming up.

Pootle40 · 17/05/2021 18:12

You can take it off while seated. I went a couple of times last Summer. I think it's on the basis you are eating or drinking but there is no requirement to purchase food. I am hoping to take the kids at the weekend. Anything so they can experience some normality.

thundercloud99 · 17/05/2021 18:14

I think just keep it on and then take it off when eating or drinking

Katie517 · 17/05/2021 18:16

Sorry but people complaining about what OP was saying, what is the difference between being sat in a restaurant mask free or in the cinema mask free? You are probably further away from others in the cinema too!

anon12345678901 · 17/05/2021 18:18

@valnevavaxx

Fine if you don't want to wear a mask for a whole film, but in that case you shouldn't be going to the cinema.

Trying to figure out loopholes to not wear them when you've been asked to is shameful. Staff at cinemas have to wear masks all day, the least you can do is pop one on during a film for them.

But you can take it off when eating and drinking so no I don't want to keep one on the entire film and yes I will be going to the cinema because I want to. They need business at the moment.
MarcelineMissouri · 17/05/2021 18:23

I would just like to correct a point in an earlier post where it said cinemas are a small space with poor ventilation.

Cinemas are a huge space, it’s not comparable to a regular size room at all. Also, modern multiplexes are well ventilated with fresh air - they have roof top units that are continually pulling in fresh air. The main problem with air conditioning/ventilation is the units that are just cooling/heating and then recirculating the same air. That is not the case for the majority of cinema chains.

Veuvelily · 17/05/2021 18:24

Before lockdown, Odeon was masks in the foyer, but no masks when seated. The seats were really spaced out, miles away from next person

SwimBaby · 17/05/2021 18:25

Cineworld didn’t report any cases last year when they reopened briefly.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 17/05/2021 18:31

Odeon rules are masks when you first enter, once seated masks can be removed so you can enjoy refreshments. Only sealed food is allowed too, so no serve yourself tango ice blasts or soft drinks and no nachos or warm popcorn.

Imnothereforthedrama · 17/05/2021 18:41

@MarcelineMissouri

I would just like to correct a point in an earlier post where it said cinemas are a small space with poor ventilation.

Cinemas are a huge space, it’s not comparable to a regular size room at all. Also, modern multiplexes are well ventilated with fresh air - they have roof top units that are continually pulling in fresh air. The main problem with air conditioning/ventilation is the units that are just cooling/heating and then recirculating the same air. That is not the case for the majority of cinema chains.

Yes I agree the ones that pass comment negatively on places like cinemas re opened never went to one during Covid because if they did they’d see . You are so much safer I think going to a cinema than going to a supermarket which is where everyone has been going throughput lockdown like it’s some day out .
herecomesthsun · 17/05/2021 19:29

Cinemas are however

  1. an enclosed space without windows
  1. where you are sitting for hours sharing in some degree the same air as the other occupants, even if there is a swish air conditioning system and
  1. they are pretty unnecessary compared with getting food to eat, say. Nice, but not essential, especially with all the alternative ways we can view films these days.

So I wish them well generally, but I won't be going to watch a film in one any time soon. We were shielding and I think we'd all feel a bit claustrophobic anyhow.

Good luck to everyone who feels it's for them!

Imnothereforthedrama · 17/05/2021 20:04

@herecomesthsun

Cinemas are however
  1. an enclosed space without windows
  1. where you are sitting for hours sharing in some degree the same air as the other occupants, even if there is a swish air conditioning system and
  1. they are pretty unnecessary compared with getting food to eat, say. Nice, but not essential, especially with all the alternative ways we can view films these days.

So I wish them well generally, but I won't be going to watch a film in one any time soon. We were shielding and I think we'd all feel a bit claustrophobic anyhow.

Good luck to everyone who feels it's for them!

Sigh no one said it’s essential but it’s fun , I think some have forgotten what fun is . When I went last year there was about 7-8 other people watching the film a good few rows away , I’m sat in a office with people every day . Nobody cares about social distancing in shops anymore . I’ll take the risk sat in the cinema thanks I need the luck going to work .
picturesandpickles · 17/05/2021 20:11

Oh dear, the talk of people not wearing their masks really puts me off.

This is why these businesses will have a hard time going forwards - if the rules are not followed, some people will be put off. If the rules are enforced - some people will be put off.

luckylavender · 17/05/2021 20:12

I can't bear going to the cinema and listening to people eating and rustling food. Find it really off putting & selfish.

anon12345678901 · 17/05/2021 20:18

@AmazingBouncingFerret

Odeon rules are masks when you first enter, once seated masks can be removed so you can enjoy refreshments. Only sealed food is allowed too, so no serve yourself tango ice blasts or soft drinks and no nachos or warm popcorn.
They must have changed it now then, as last time they opened we had nachos and ice blasts. The only thing not available was pic n mix.
OxAl82 · 17/05/2021 20:21

I’ve just got back from a Vue cinema. Their rule is to keep mask on except when eating or drinking. It wasn’t busy but everybody had their masks off all through the film - most were eating. We kept our masks on throughout.

MarcelineMissouri · 17/05/2021 20:24

@herecomesthsun whilst I concur that going to the cinema is obviously not essential when compared to going to buy food, it is yet another industry that enables the people who work in it (including my dh) to have the money to buy that food. I understand that some people may not feel comfortable returning for a while but the way that so many posters are so flippant about these ‘non essential’ industries as if they can just disappear with no impact on anyone really winds me up. You think everyone should just be happy to watch everything on Netflix now? It just doesn’t compare as an experience. And it certainly won’t put food on our table!

ilovesooty · 17/05/2021 20:25

I don't see why people need to eat and drink in the cinema anyway.

Mrgrinch · 17/05/2021 20:27

@ilovesooty

I don't see why people need to eat and drink in the cinema anyway.
Oh give it a rest. Next you'll be saying you don't understand why people have to go on rides at a theme park.
SmidgenofaPigeon · 17/05/2021 20:30

I never, ever ate popcorn or nachos in the cinema!

When I’d take myself off for my little cinema dates, I’d take wine, a glass and a little Tupperware of cheese and olives 😆