Starting this November, cinemas will be progressively suspending movie screenings and concession operations at their locations until further notice.
This is in view with the recent CMCO implementation in some states across Malaysia which requires cinemas to remain closed coupled with a lack of new movie releases said Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE) in a statement.
According to MAFE, the Malaysian cinema industry has been hit hard by the pandemic and has suffered deep revenue losses due to a drop of up to 90% y-o-y.
Following the announcement, both GSC and TGV have announced that they will temporarily cease all their cinema operations in Malaysia, from 2nd November onwards. At the same time, MBO Cinemas which has closed most of their cinemas, will proceed to close the remaining few that is still operating, starting next month.
The national cinemas industry has appealed for government assistance and rental help as they struggle to survive and recover from COVID-19’s effects.