Ready for the silverscreen

Patiently waiting: A moviegoer looking at posters of upcoming movies. Although cinemas have not gotten the green light, many are hoping to reopen soon.

PETALING JAYA: Avid moviegoers are optimistic about watching the latest flicks on the big screen although cinemas have yet to receive the government’s green light to reopen.

Eli Tang said it had been three long months since the movement control order (MCO) was enforced and she could hardly wait to go back to watching movies in cinemas.“I used to go to the cinema with my family almost every week. That’s how we spent time together as family, ” said the 32-year-old.

Tang said she wasn’t worried at all about contracting Covid-19 in cinemas as long as stringent precautions were taken.

“Having temperature checked before entering the cinema is a must. I would like to see the cinema thoroughly sanitised after every session, ” she said.

“Everybody needs to do their part and those who are sick should just stay home. People must have some sense of new responsibility in the new normal.”

Kien Chan, 35, is looking forward to catching the latest Marvel movies such as Black Widow and Black Panther 2 in cinemas.

“The seats should be sanitised before and after every movie. Moviegoers should also wear a mask, ” he added.

Samantha Claire Yee also wanted cinemas to have stringent standard operating procedures (SOP) in place, before they were allowed to reopen.

Yee, 27, said she was hoping for huge discounts in ticket prices to attract moviegoers, who might be too fearful to return to cinemas.

Wong Mei Ling, 50, said she wasn’t afraid to return to the cinemas.

“Not all films are enjoyable to be watched on the small screen. The big screen gives a different vibe, ” said the housewife.

Karmen Wong, 27, said she would not go to the cinemas until the Covid-19 pandemic was under control. “Perhaps when the numbers are zero for a couple of weeks.”

A similar view was also expressed by Dheepan Yogeswaran, 28, who said he would only head to the cinemas when Covid-19 was completely eradicated in Malaysia.

“I don’t feel comfortable being in crowded and confined places now.”