Cineworld staff launch petition to make face masks mandatory for guests

Reopening: Staff at the cinema chain are calling for action
Simon Cocks/Flickr
Harry Fletcher25 June 2020

Cineworld staff have launched a new petition to make face masks mandatory for guests when cinemas open in July.

The chain is planning to open its doors for the public for the first time in months on July 10, after cinemas were given the green light to reopen from next month.

However, the Cineworld Action Group is calling for more reassurance from management over safety measures.

The petition references an interview given by Cineworld CEO Mooky Greidinger, who told the Hollywood Reporter that while staff will be required to wear face coverings, guests wouldn’t have to.

Setting out the preferred health and safety measures, the petition reads: “Customers are required to wear a mask/face covering to enter Cineworld sites, and should at least have to wear them in high traffic areas (corridors/foyers/concessions), where the most contact is likely to occur.”

It adds: “These restrictions can be eased in the auditoriums where social distancing can be maintained throughout the duration of a film. If numerous staff were to contract the virus, we fear that the company’s operations could be adversely affected, resulting in job losses.”

More than 900 people have signed the petition so far since it was launched on Tuesday.

Cineworld is one of the major chains to announce plans to reopen in July, with the likes of Odeon and Everyman confirming their intentions to welcome back guests at the earliest opportunity.

The Standard has reached out to Cineworld for comment.

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