Going to the Cinema during Covid

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862347#Comment_117862347

All cinemas I've been to so far have had one empty row for every occupied row, and then a two-seat gap between individuals or groups.

Those rules will presumably now be eased in anywhere asking for a cert, but you can probably expect at least a seat gap between yourself / your group and the next group.

As for October 22nd, we'll see what happens - cinemas will be allowed use full capacity, but they might put some limited capacity restrictions in themselves. I'm sure the cinemas themselves are still figuring out what to do.

Jafin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862347#Comment_117862347

I can only speak about my experience in my local cinema (which is part of the ARC Cinema chain). I went to see Shang-Chi last week and booked my ticket and seat online. The way it worked is that the seats in front, behind and to your left and right cannot be booked by anybody else. I went on my own, and chose an aisle seat, so that meant the two seats to my left, the two in front of me and the two behind me had a big X across them on the website after I booked my seat so nobody could book those seats. If you are booking seats as a group you can sit together though, as I saw that three seats together had been booked before I picked my seat. Wasn't asked for a vaccine passport or anything like when I went in.

OU812

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862131#Comment_117862131

I’m aware. I’m vaxxed and still caught it. However the risk is far lower if everyone in the place is vaxxed.

Penfailed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862535#Comment_117862535

You were vaxxed and still caught it yet you are worried if unvaccinated people are in the same building as you? Why?! You're in the cohort that is least likely to be infected by the virus.

MarkY91

Been to Cineworld about 5 times in the past few weeks. There's probably been 20 between all 5 or so movies in attendance. There seems to be more staff than customers anytime I go. Surely this is not sustainable?

Last movie was just myself and the missus. The one before that, a couple and a man on his own. So 3 other people during the last 2 movies.

OU812

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862587#Comment_117862587

I don’t want to get it again. Although the likelyhood is tiny in the next six months, it’s still possible.

it’s a horrible experience even if vaxxed. I’d much rather highly reduce my chances of getting sick again.

the more people vaxxed, the more this thing will be restricted. If that means that those who choose mot to be vaxxed are limited in their activities, I’m ok with that.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862603#Comment_117862603

I dunno either.

TBH even before COVID, I had mostly given up with Cinema. They were so expensive. Last movie I went to see in the cinema the screen quality was very poor with obvious defect in one corner. I complained during the movie but they weren't interested.

Its till more of an event than watching at home. I would still prefer to see my favorite movies in the cinema. Even re-runs of classics. But its been subpar experience for a long time.

Penfailed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862645#Comment_117862645

I'm not vaxxed but have a Covid pass as I'm recovered. I can still go to the same places that you can.

MarkY91

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862746#Comment_117862746

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862746#Comment_117862746

Yeah it's quite expensive but we have a cineworld card. Costs like €22.50 per month

Shlippery

Omniplex and Odeon have those unlimited offers too for €13/14 a month with only a 3 month contract, savage value right now...

Getting four/five films a month in for €14 is decent in Omnplex with all their screens 'electric recliners' down Waterford anyways.

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862603#Comment_117862603

It isn't sustainable into the future at current levels, or certainly not sustainable to the extent / scale it would have been (have certainly noticed fewer staff in the likes of Cineworld). That's exactly why many cinemas are taking the opportunity to increase capacity to 60%.

The cinema still is popular, mind. The Light House routinely sells out screenings at the moment - albeit with the caveat that selling out is 50 people (perhaps even fewer than that for smaller screens). I've been to plenty of screenings in the past month or two with three or four dozen people present.

OU812

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862809#Comment_117862809

So you’re immune for 6 months… great. What you gonna do at the end of it if it’s still going on, because I’ll be at the cinema and all the other places vaxxed can go.

Penfailed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117863404#Comment_117863404

They're due to be done away with on the 22nd of October...and I was at the cinema last night and didn't have to show anything.

silverharp

I see myself going to the cinema less often but spending a few extra bucks and going to a nice cinema like The Stella. They bring your drinks to you!!! I like that level of service and nice seat ,table, footstool

Ohmeha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862603#Comment_117862603

Cineworld didn't send me any notification of when my unlimited card was expiring, due to closures from lockdowns it ran for just over 2 years until I noticed it expired last week when I was trying to book a film. I find it incredible they would not have been desperate for unlimited customers to renew and give some discount but no they don't even let you know the date it's expiring and lose out on a potential renewal

santana75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117865219#Comment_117865219

I think the whole operation is a bit shambolic. Myself and a few friends went to see Jungle Cruise a few weeks back and I was surprised to see how run down the theatre was. Seats worn out, popcorn, spilt drinks etc. I thought they wouldve used the time while the premises was shut to do some refurbishment work.

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117865534#Comment_117865534

To be fair, they have refurbished a few screens - a few have nice new reclining chairs and extra legroom.

Still a bit of a crapshoot quality wise though. There was absolutely dire sound quality in the screen where I saw the Suicide Squad - not sure what the issue was, but it was incredibly low and muted. Went out to complain and they seemed to turn it up slightly, but still pretty terrible.

MarkY91

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117865219#Comment_117865219

What expired? I'm on a monthly payment so mine just restarted when they opened back up.

Perhaps you're paying yearly?

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117865594#Comment_117865594

Is Cineworld still playing 25 odd minutes of adverts prior to shows? Aside from the mess, I got sick of how many ads they played before the damn movie actually started.

Ohmeha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117867448#Comment_117867448

Yes I was on yearly advanced full payment so renewal is not automatic unlike monthly payment, every previous year they sent me a renewal notification a few weeks in advance of it expiring

The White Wolf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117862603#Comment_117862603

That struck me as well at the cinema on Monday but one can hardly expect a big cinema to operate with the bare minimum staffing wise, regardless of the time of day and a pandemic ongoing. I'd liken it to a bookies operating with one person on; you just don't know what headcase is going to come off the street so decent staffing is a must.

I'd agree that it isn't sustainable and it's worrying.

Big Gerry

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117859575#Comment_117859575

lol if you believe that then you believe anything.

Vaccine passports are here to stay unless people take a stand against them.

titan18

Omniplex have changed their seat separation to be less now. It's 2 seats each side of you rather than in front and behind you aswell.

Im surprised the seat in front and behind aren't blocked out. Would make more sense than the seat 2 seats over.

OU812

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117868971#Comment_117868971

Hopefully they are here for a while. If people don’t want to get vaxxed, that’s their business, but I don’t want to share the same space as them.

The liberties of one, cannot outweigh the liberties of everyone.

If everyone did their bit, we’d have this thing under control and be back to a much higher degree of normality. Instead we’ve got the likes of Wall, Gilroy & O’Doherty leading their merry band of idiots in their “outrage of the week”.

gmisk

I have been loads of times to the lighthouse and Cineworld, always pretty quiet but I tend to go early in the morning or early afternoon, I will miss the space tbh

santana75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117869045#Comment_117869045

Yeah I noticed that all right. I'd much prefer the seat behind me is empty, simply to eradicate the scourge that is people putting their feet your seat.

OU812

No Vax, No Entry at Odeon

Knine

I just got that email. There was me thinking we had freedom of choice.

80sKid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117859650#Comment_117859650

Cineworld now requiring vaccine certs (or proof of having recovered from Covid-19 within the last 6 month) for admittance to the IMAX & Screens 3,4 and 11.

All other screens are reduced capacity and General Admission (so no seat reserving). Far as I know, they're the only cinema catering to those who are unvaccinated.

OU812

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117897351#Comment_117897351

You have the freedom to decide if you want to get vexed or not, they have the freedom to decide if you can come in or not.

Knine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117897763#Comment_117897763

I have had the vaccination & also Covid.

I still believe in freedom of choice

pixelburp

Visited the IMC Santry today, was excited to be back after humming and hawing. Didn't get asked for the cert though; had pre-booked and the kid just scanned my QR code and in we went.

santana75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117901156#Comment_117901156

I think the official line is you must have proof of vaccination but onsite staff won't be asking anyone for said proof. Can't blame them tbh, that's hassle they don't need and don't get paid nearly enough to enforce.

brianregan09

Like I don't see the point of bringing it in now when it's all been thrown out the window comes october 22nd , for the sake of 10% extra aswell , you'd say something if they were allowed fully open

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117901235#Comment_117901235

It’s not 10% extra. They were allowed 50 people maximum in one screen before. This is 60% capacity. In bigger screens that could be up to a two-three fold increase. Big, big financial difference.

brianregan09

Ahh that's fair my bad , I thought it went from 50% to 60% , doesn't bother me personally , but there are those who it does and I can see why when people have been going to the cinema since the 1st initial batch of restrictions were lifted .

OU812

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117901111#Comment_117901111

You have the freedom to go elsewhere

80sKid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117901194#Comment_117901194

Probably the case most places alright but tonight in the Savoy they were asking to see vaccination certs and Photo ID.

AMKC

I have noticed that cinema's are not opening as early as they used to. That is OK for me now as there is nothing out anyway but when Bond comes outs I want to see it in the morning not in the afternoon as that is half the day gone otherwise. I suppose they have been losing too much money opening early only for the odd cinema guest and before Covid maybe they could just about still afford too but it looks like Covid and the Pandemic may have put on end to that. Such a pity. Maybe getting staff to work early is a problem too. Just means I will only be going to the Cinema for the big films like Bond and Dune and stuff anything else.

santana75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117905520#Comment_117905520

But why not go in the evening? Then you wouldn't miss out on seeing those movies where they should be seen, on the big screen.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117907533#Comment_117907533

Evening's prime time, and presuming AMKC doesn't work evenings or suchlike, I Guess the idea is to avoid the crowds and enjoy the movie without too much distraction. I can respect that. A Quiet Place is about the only recent occasion a full house worked in favour of the film, not against.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117907533#Comment_117907533

Evenings just do not suite me.

gmisk

I see Cineworld are not doing assigned seats for all screenings?!? I just didn't bother going this morning.

Flinty997

Went to Blanch at the weekend. Enjoyed it to be honest. The lack of crowds etc. Good seats, screen was good.

The volume though was right on the point of being uncomfortably loud, everyone in my group commented on it.

Big Gerry

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117870203#Comment_117870203

Whether I'm vaxxed or unvaxxed is not the point.

I don't give out my private health information to random people.

I can't believe how people think they have a right to know peoples private medical history.

Even during the AIDS crisis nobody was forced to disclose their HIV status.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117922162#Comment_117922162

Its not that simplistic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_transmission_of_HIV

Big Gerry

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117922210#Comment_117922210

It is look what happened in this case.

https://www.thejournal.ie/hiv-positive-wrc-4667695-Jun2019/

OU812

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117922162#Comment_117922162

No problem at all, go elsewhere along with the rest of the great unvaxxed.

No skin off my nose. I’ll be able to attend wherever I want and do what I want at responsible places that do enforce it.

The White Wolf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117905520#Comment_117905520

Depends on the film, using Odeon Coolock as an example I was able to go to Shang Chi fairly early, but Many Saints of Newark had not morning showings.

They'll want people going to Bond in droves I imagine so they'll be doing hourly shows from 10am onwards I'd say.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928084#Comment_117928084

Odeon Coolock is showing Bond every 40 minutes when it releases on the 30th.