COVID-19: All Singapore cinemas closed until 30 April

The government has mandated that all cinemas be closed from 26 March 2020 at 11:59pm until 30 April 2020. As such, all 40 cinemas in Singapore are currently shut for business. All screenings and events at cinemas during this period have been cancelled, and movie bookings are no longer available across all sales channels.

Previously, cinema operators have introduced social distancing measures, such as a 1 metre queuing distance between patrons, as well as seating plan restrictions. Temperature checks have also been introduced as a precautionary measure. Still, the government has decided that all cinemas must be closed to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This means that cinemas will not re-open until at least Friday, 1 May 2020, which is the earliest possible re-opening date. The government restrictions may change depending on COVID-19 developments, so it is possible that movie-goers may have to wait longer before hitting the screens again.

GV cinemas will not be re-opening until at least 1 May. For affected patrons, online bookings will be automatically refunded within four weeks, while holders of physical tickets that were purchased at box offices or via Automated Ticketing Machines can receive refunds when GV re-opens for business. Expiring vouchers and pre-paid cards will have their validity extended.

Golden Village Jurong Point closed

A temporary closure notice by Golden Village - all GV cinemas closed from 27 March till 30 April

Similarly, all Shaw Theatres locations will not be re-opening until at least 1 May. Refunds for affected screenings are similarly available - online and credit card purchases will be refunded within four weeks, while cash and NETSPay purchases will have refunds possible when cinemas become operational again.

Shaw Theatres JCube IMAX closed

Temporary closure notice by Shaw Theatres - all its cinemas closed from 27 March till 30 April

Cathay Cineplexes will be closed until further notice, without specifying any end date to this arrangement. Its vouchers such as F&B Vouchers, Everyday Movie Vouchers, Platinum Movie Suites Vouchers as well as Senior Vouchers will have an extension of their validity.

Cathay Cineplexes Jem closed

A temporary "curtain call" by Cathay Cineplexes

Shaw Theatres Lido Hall 1

After introducing the Shaw Lido cineplex earlier on, let us take a look at Hall 1 of the same cinema. It is on level 6 and is accessed through the narrow escalator together with halls 2 and 3.

Hall 1 is the biggest hall of all 11 screens, with a capacity of about over 400. It is configured to have rows A to Z, with two side aisles and a middle aisle.

Seating configuration. The screen is positioned at the top (i.e. in front of row U).
Image from www.shaw.sg

Different from other big halls like GVmax and Grand Cathay, the entrance is located somewhere at the top right of the image. Curtains concealing the entrance are closed when the movie starts so as to keep out the light.There is also male and female toilets on the left, which is exclusively for patrons in this hall so you can visit the washroom in the middle of the movie. One notable feature is that there are pillars near the sides of the hall (actually some other halls in Lido also have pillars, like Lido 7). The screen is large and bright, located in front of something like a stage. As with other cinemas, the curtains open up further to reveal a wider screen after the commercials.

Entrance located on the right.
Observe that the seats are positioned radially and form an arc so that every seat faces the screen.

Like the other halls, the seats are all fitted with headrests. They are one of the more comfortable seats around. Seat numbers are near the edge of the armrests and be sure to put your drink or popcorn on the right armrest facing the screen.

Lido halls are fitted with these ergonomic seats. They are well shaped, though they feel slightly harder and less soft than in other cinemas.

Overall, the great screen, new and comfortable seats, nice carpeting and outstanding cinematic atmosphere makes Shaw Lido Theatre 1 stand out among the crowd! Perhaps one of the few downsides is that it can get a bit cold at times if the theatre is not packed, so bring a jacket along or wear some sleeves. Do try out Lido 1 someday!

Cinema mobile apps for Shaw, Cathay and GV

Shaw Theatres app: cinime

Google Play rating: 3.7 (based on 94 reviews)
App size: 12.30MB
Free to download. For iOS and Android.

cinime app interface

Booking of tickets through cinime
The theatre shown is Lido 1

In addition to allowing users to check movie schedules and book tickets through the app, cinime allows users to unlock rewards and enter contests through a unique in-cinema feature. At the theatre, the cinema screen will prompt users to turn on the app before the commercials. The app will then provide special content, such as interactive contests where users can take part in quizzes shown on the theatre screen through the app in real time. Bonus content can also be unlocked when various commercials are shown, without a need for a 3G or WiFi connection. There is also a feature to scan cinema posters in exchange for "goodies".

With a black background, the app interface is appropriate for use in the dark theatre while the ads are playing, through patrons will be prompted to keep their phones away when the actual movie begins. The latest update even adds a calender reminder feature to the list. This is probably by far the most advanced and interactive cinema app that has been introduced.

To download cinime
Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/shaw-cinime/id686566592
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yummimedia.shawcinime&hl=en


Cathay Cineplexes app: iCathay
Google Play rating: 3.5 (based on 252 reviews)
App size: 1.56MB
Free to download. For iOS and Android.

iCathay allows users to book movie tickets, view the details of their favourite movies and access the latest promotions at Cathay with the purple-themed app. As with Shaw's cinime and GV's iGV app, users can view the seating plan and select their own seats when booking tickets through iCathay. Users can also submit their feedback and suggestions through the app. The app is simple and requires minimal app permissions when downloaded through Google Play so it sure is a clean cut app.

iCathay app interface

Booking of tickets through iCathay
The theatre shown is The Grand Cathay

To download iCathay
Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/icathay/id427846639
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.csam.cathay.activity&hl=en


Golden Village app: iGV
Google Play rating: 3.2 (based on 239 reviews)
App size: 1.83MB
Free to download. For iOS and Android.

With the iGV app users can book tickets and view information on cinemas or movies conveniently on their phones. It is also integrated with the GV Movie Club loyalty programme as it allows users to log in to their accounts to enjoy discounts. The app is also equipped with a feature that allows patrons at GV City Square to enter the theatres using a QR code that acts as their movie ticket. Together with less than frequent updates for the app, it also appears that some patrons have reported issues booking their tickets through the app.

iGV app interface

Booking of tickets through iGV
The theatre shown is GVmax

To download iGV
Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/igv/id293615901
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.innosoft.gvmobile

Cathay Jem to open September 6 (new cinema)

The largest multiplex in the west will be unveiled from 6 September.

A roll up banner placed outside the premises of Cathay Jem 

Earlier, an image has been uploaded on the Cathay Cineplexes Facebook page which appears to feature the seating plan of a theatre in Cathay Jem - one that is larger than that of The Grand Cathay. The cinema at Jurong East has previously been forecast to open in August this year.

10 screens altogether
2 Platinum Movie Suites
6 September, Friday is stated as the opening date

50 Jurong Gateway Road, #05-04 Jem
Singapore 608549

Review of WE Cinemas Suntec City

A movie theatre at WE Cinemas Suntec

WE Cinemas was formerly known as Eng Wah Cinemas until its recent re-branding in 2011. It has two cinemas in operation - Suntec and West Mall, while one at Empress (near Clementi) is due to be completed in 2013 together with the entertainment complex. WE Suntec is the newer of the two cinemas, as it underwent an extensive major renovation in 2011.

The first thing you would see is a big screen at the walkway entrance to the cinema made up of 9 TV screens which shows the latest movie trailers. Walk a bit more and you will step onto the soft light purple carpet of the box office area. Unlike other cinemas, WE Suntec does not have separate popcorn counters - the ticketing counter is the same as the popcorn counter, allowing you to get everything you need at one place. It's usually not very crowded and the queue is not long perhaps except for the peak hours, so it is generally quite a peaceful cinema for you to sit back and relax.

The 5 halls at WE Cinemas Suntec are all digital halls with 2K digital projectors, while two of the halls have 3D capabilities. It is worth noting that all of them have the same seating configuration - about 200 seats in each theatre with a middle aisle cutting through. They offer good elevation but slightly less legroom though. One thing I like about this cinema is that the seats look very new and clean each time you visit it, which definitely provides a good cinematic experience.

Just on a side note, since most patrons would sit along the aisle so that they would be at the middle of the screen, the blue lights which show the row and seat numbers are a bit too bright and glaring if you sit just beside the aisle. Because of the single aisle configuration it sort of shines at the opposite row. Not that it really that uncomfortable, but perhaps something for the management to think about.

Till next time!