Are cinemas open in Tier 3?

We look at how the lockdown restrictions affect cinema openings...

After families ranked the movies as their top half-term activity we look at whether the cinemas are open to those living in areas where local lockdown restrictions are in Tier 3.

It's no secret that the Government's lockdown restrictions have been confusing over the last few months. But with the restrictions simplified into a new three tiered system, it's hoped more people will understand what is allowed and what isn't.

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As Vue Cinemas were closing some of it's screens, operating on reduced opening hours at a quarter of it’s outlets in order to help it survive the impact of Covid-19, other cinemas were open as usual.

But with lockdown restrictions ever-changing, we thought we'd give you an insight into what the legislation says in terms of cinemas opening.

Cinemas are allowed to remain open in areas under first, second and third tier restrictions - but that could change particularly in areas hit badly by Coronavirus.

Here are some of the guidelines vs the tiers:

• People living in tier one - 'medium risk' - area can go to the cinema with people from outside their household - but they must stick to the rule of six.
• People living in Tier two and three can only go to the cinema with members of their household or support bubble - mixing indoors with others is banned

In all instances at least one person in the group is required to give their contact details to the cinema in order to make contact-tracing possible.

In the case of areas under tier three restrictions, the government’s guidance adds the following caveat, ‘In addition, the government will seek to agree additional measures in consultation with local authorities in order to reduce the spread of the virus.’

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One such measure could be to close indoor entertainment venues.

In Liverpool, which has had the toughest Tier 3 restrictions, cinemas have remained open, even though gyms were initially shut (they're now allowed to reopen).

The best way of checking if your local cinema is open in Tier 3 areas is by looking on the cinema website before you set off or make a booking, alternatively check with your local council authority.

The economic impact of lockdown is affecting cinemas - Cineworld closed all 128 of its venues in the UK and Ireland at the start of the month, a move that cost 45,000 people their jobs.

Meanwhile Odeon and Vue have decided to cut opening times at some of their cinemas from seven days a week to three or four days.