After competitor Ster-Kinekor announced that they will be back in action from 28 August, Nu Metro has also welcomed lockdown level two with open arms confirming that their cinemas will also reopen countrywide this Friday.
Nu Metro will open cinema complexes in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Giyani (Limpopo) on Friday 28 August for the first time after 5 months – but their business model will go through a few changes as they phase their offering back in.
The cinema chain will initially only open its cinema complexes on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, with limited showtimes per day and films times staggered as to limit the number of people entering, exiting and standing in cinema foyers.
Nu Metro cinemas not opening on 28 August will temporarily remain shut in what Nu Metro calls part of its “responsible reopening strategy”.
“Nu Metro is very excited to go big again with the magic of the movies,” says Chantelle Burrows, Nu Metro cinemas marketing and content executive. “Nothing can ever replace the cinematic experience of enjoying movies in the way they were meant to be seen. Our commitment and responsibility towards customers have never been stronger as we face this ‘new normal’ together.”
Chantelle adds “The public’s safety, as well as the safety and health of our team members, is our highest priority. Nu Metro has been anxiously anticipating this moment to reopen our doors to movie fans once again, as part of a coordinated industry effort to restart this business we love to call showbiz.”
The cinema chain explains that they will offer a selection of recent box office hits and other audience favourites being re-released during the first phase of its reopening. “This scheduling strategy is due to the limited availability of new filmed content for cinemas worldwide, caused by the postponement of films’ release dates globally following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chantelle says.
Nu Metro is encouraging moviegoers to use its www.numetro.co.za website for online bookings before visiting cinemas to buy tickets, and to also use the self-service terminals at cinemas to buy tickets, although the confectionary counters will be open for sales, as well as ticket counters.
Mask-wearing will be mandatory for all customers and staff within all Nu Metro’s cinema complexes nationwide although masks can be taken off while eating and drinking.
Temperature checks will be done on arrival for all customers at access points to cinema complexes, in addition to hourly temperature and hygiene check-ups being done on staff by each complex’s appointed compliance officer.
Nu Metro will also adhere to social distancing by introducing at least 1.5 metre of distance between booked seats by blocking 2 “buffer” seats on either side of a customer’s selection.
These blocked seats will appear in a zigzag pattern throughout each auditorium. Only two customers per booking can be seated next to each other, with “buffer” seats blocked on either side, in front and behind them.
Nu Metro cinema capacity is also capped at below 50 visitors, in compliance with the recommended specifications from the South African government.
Nu Metro says that all cinemas will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after each and every show, with a nightly deep-cleaning of all complexes, while all high-touch point areas such as kiosks, self-service terminals, serving counters, door handles, rails, benches, booths and bathroom areas will be disinfected on a regular basis daily – with the cleaning frequency for service counters every 30 minutes.
Popcorn seasoning shakers and dispensers have been replaced by sealed, disposable sachets, along with other precautionary measures at confectionary/catering counters.
Here are the Nu Metro cinemas opening:
1. Nu Metro Hyde Park (JHB) – including 4DX and VIP theatres; VIP cinema complex.
2. Nu Metro Emperors Palace (JHB) – including 4DX, VIP and Xtreme theatres.
3. Nu Metro Clearwater Mall (JHB) – including VIP and Xtreme theatres.
4. Nu Metro The Glen (JHB) – including VIP and Xtreme theatres.
5. Nu Metro Westgate (JHB).
6. Nu Metro Menlyn Park (Pretoria) – including 4DX, VIP and Xtreme theatres.
7. Nu Metro Woodlands (Pretoria) – VIP cinema complex.
8. Nu Metro Canal Walk (Cape Town) – including VIP and Xtreme theatres.
9. Nu Metro Worcester.
10. Nu Metro Ballito Junction (Ballito, KZN) – including VIP and Xtreme theatres.
11. Nu Metro Cornubia Mall (Durban) – including 4DX, VIP and Xtreme theatres.
12. Nu Metro The Pavilion (Durban) – including 4DX and VIP theatres.
13. Nu Metro Galleria (Amanzimtoti, KZN) – including VIP and Xtreme theatres.
14. Nu Metro Boardwalk (Port Elizabeth).
15. Nu Metro Loch Logan (Bloemfontein).
16. Nu Metro Masingita Mall (Giyani, Limpopo).