Cineworld joins Vue in planning to reopen all UK cinemas in July

Physical distancing and high levels of hygiene will be enforced

Cineworld has announced that it plans on joining Vue and reopening all of its UK cinemas in July as lockdown measures are relaxed.

The cinema operator, which has 128 venues in the UK and Ireland, has said that physical distancing rules will be enforced in house, with strict levels of hygiene also adhered to to ensure “a safe and enjoyable cinema experience for its employees and customers”.

A company representative said: “Cineworld currently anticipates that government restrictions related to cinemas will be lifted in each of its territories by July.

“Subject to this and confirmation of the schedule for film releases, Cineworld anticipates the reopening of all of its cinemas in July.”

The cinema chain hopes their reopening will be able to coincide with the release of Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, which has continued with its planned release date of 17 July despite the enforcement of lockdown measures.

The news comes after a group of independent cinema owners claimed that they couldn’t reopen before September and wouldn’t be able to survive more than three months under social distancing rules.

A survey conducted by the Independent Cinema Office found that theatre owners felt pressure from the cinema and film industry to open before September, even when it is not financially viable or even safe for them to do so.