Now that cinemas are open again, the temptation to go see a movie on the big screen is growing.

Of course, it comes with a certain amount of risk, and if you’re part of a high-risk group (or live with high-risk people), the best choice might still be to stay at home.

If you’re willing to take the risk though, prepping for the experience beforehand can make it as smooth and as safe as possible. (READ: Cinemas are back: Here are the safety protocols required for PH malls)

I went to watch a movie on the day that cinemas reopened (and thankfully tested negative on a swab test since). Here are a few experienced-based tips that I think will help make you feel as safe as possible: 

Before leaving, double-check your necessities

Going out these days, we have to remember to bring more than just our keys, wallet, and phone. Now we have to bring face masks and hand sanitizers at minimum. When you go see a movie, vaccination cards are a requirement too, so treat it like a second ticket that you’ll need before you enter the cinema. Make sure you have yours on your person, and take a photo of it on your phone, just in case it goes missing.

Before you enter the cinema, you’ll also need to fill out a health declaration/contact tracing form (via QR code or manually), so have your phone or a pen at the ready.

Wear the right mask

In an enclosed space, your mask might literally be the only thing standing between you and COVID. Make sure the mask you’re wearing for the experience fits snugly over your nose, mouth, and chin.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest wearing a disposable mask and a cloth mask over it to secure it to your face. You could check out CDC’s guide for how to maximize the efficiency of your masks.

Thankfully, face shields are no longer required in areas under certain alert levels, so at least your vision will be uncompromised for the show.

Eat and drink before the show

Most cinemas still don’t allow eating and drinking inside movie theaters and understandably so – the whole experience is safer when people keep their masks on the whole time. Considering this, make sure you’re full before entering the movie theater, just so you don’t go hungry or thirsty halfway through the show.

Choose your seats wisely

I’m no expert in airflow but logic tells me that the safer seats are the ones that are further away from people and foot traffic. Aisle seats will obviously see more action as people pass by to go to the bathrooms or claim their seats. Your safest bet might be to choose the corner seats, and on the top row if possible so you don’t have people behind you. It’s also best if you get your bathroom break in before the show, so you can stay isolated in your corner throughout the movie. 

Time it

It goes without saying that watching on off-peak hours means fewer people, therefore less exposure. If you can catch earlier shows on a weekday, it’s more likely that you’ll have the cinema all to yourself. If you see a line at the ticketing booth, maybe it’s best to delay your movie experience for another day.

Make it worth it

Because every trip to the cinema comes with risk, you’ll want to make sure what you see is worth it. Choose a movie that you really want to see, something that is better on the big screen and that you probably won’t see on streaming platforms anytime soon. If ever the worst happens and you do get sick, at least the movie was good. (READ: It’s finally happening: Films to catch in PH cinemas in 2021)

If you can afford to, test and quarantine after

While I know it’s not doable for everyone, if you can afford it, it might good practice to quarantine for at least a week or take a swab test after at least three full days after watching a movie. It may sound like overkill, but it doesn’t hurt to be extra-careful even when cases seem to be on the decline.

Watching a movie in pandemic times does come with a lot of new considerations and a new level of risk, but it doesn’t take away from the magic of seeing a movie play out on the big screen with surround sound. Pandemic or not, cinemas will always be a place where we can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.  – Rappler.com