GSC to reopen some cinemas in Malaysia

Malaysian cinema operator GSC will be reopening some of its outlets in the country following the easing of lockdown restrictions in Malacca, Penang and Putrajaya.

In a Facebook post on December 6, GSC announced that it will be reopening nine locations on December 16, from 6pm, “just in time for Wonder Woman 1984.”

The film will premiere in GSC outlets on December 17, but moviegoers can book a hall for 20 pax for a private viewing on the 16th.

See GSC’s announcement and details on the Wonder Woman 1984 premiere below.

Since Monday, December 7, lockdown restrictions in parts of Selangor, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and Perak have been eased. This means that family entertainment outlets are allowed to operate again with social distancing in place.

Meanwhile, the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Sabah and the capital city of Kuala Lumpur has been extended to December 20. As of writing, Malaysia has recorded a total of 74,294 COVID-19 cases.

Other countries in Southeast Asia have begun reopening cinemas after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In the Philippines, some cinemas in Iloilo City and the province of Rizal have reopened with strict social distancing guidelines in place. Major mall chains like Megaworld and SM have also allowed private viewing parties in select outlets. In July, SM Pampanga opened the very first drive-in cinema in the country. A “float-in” cinema is also set to open at the Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City this month.

Singapore has also allowed large cinema halls with a capacity of over 300 seats to admit up to 150 patrons starting October. The city’s annual Singapore International Film Festival, which had a mix of virtual and in-person screenings, concluded on December 6.