The National COVID-19 Task Force Secretariat (NCTFS) is still to grant permission to the management of MovieTowne Guyana to launch its drive-in film screenings, which was due to begin today.
In a letter, which was sent to the company yesterday, Colonel Nazrul Hussain, Director of the NCTFS, formally notified the company that hosting of cinema events are in breach of gazetted COVID-19 measures.
Hussain further informed that in order to proceed, the company would be required to obtain written approval from the Minister of Health for the hosting of any event relating to cinema type activity, regardless of the form any such activities is likely to take place.
MovieTowne Guyana Branch Manager Rochelle Parsram last night told Stabroek News that the company remains optimistic that permission will be granted to facilitate the event.
Parsram explained that the company responded to the letter and a team from the NCTFS will be visiting this morning for an inspection of the measures put in place.
On this note, the Branch Manager expressed optimism that the measures put in place will satisfy the inspecting team and they will be given the green light to execute the planned screenings.
Parsram added that before the company announced the launch of the venture, it considered all COVID-19 protocols and made the necessary arrangements to operate in a safe environment.
MovieTowne Guyana’s Marketing Manager, Cindy Ramnarine, had told Stabroek News that there will be screenings from Friday through Sunday, which will be free to the public during this weekend. Going forward, she said, customers would be accommodated on a first come, first served basis, with a minimum charge per vehicle, although she did not reveal the fee.
Ramnarine explained that the drive-in theatre is being launched as the company wants persons to once again be able to experience watching new movies on the big screen, albeit with the safety measures put in place due to the pandemic.
Under MovieTowne’s safety measures, filmgoers will have to remain seated in their vehicles and will not be permitted to sit outside. They are also expected to park six feet apart to ensure social distancing.
Ramnarine said that food carts will be made available to allow moviegoers to have access to snacks.
The films will be screened from 7 pm on each day in the MovieTowne parking lot.
Ramnarine added that movies will only be shown on the weekends and screenings would conclude before the 9 pm curfew.
