A study released this week by the UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has confirmed that there is no significant risk of COVID transmission in the cinema environment.
The latest update to the Group’s ‘Virus Watch’ study looked at the relative importance of different non household activities for COVID-19 transmission during period of intense restrictions compared to period of no restrictions.
It found that during both periods of intense restrictions and no restrictions shopping accounted for the highest proportion of infections acquired outside the home, with going to work and the use of public transport also important predictors of infection.
While finding that participating in sports indoors or outdoors was associated with increased risk, importantly the study confirmed that there was no good evidence of increased risk from attending cinemas, theatres, concerts or indoor sports events or for beauty services.
The study report can be found here.
Commenting on these findings, UK Cinema Association Chief Executive Phil Clapp said:
‘We know from our own independent surveys of returning cinema-goers that the vast majority recognise the relative safety of the cinema environment, with 98 per cent of those polled saying that they are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with standards of safety. This latest SAGE study confirms that those responses are rooted in the reality of the experience offered by Association members across the country, all of whom have worked exceptionally hard to ensure the safety of audiences and team members alike.’