Introducing Covidcheck will allow the resumption of the sale of snacks and drinks, which represent the second largest source of income for the cinema operator Kinepolis. Photo: Matic Zorman / Maison Moderne

Introducing Covidcheck will allow the resumption of the sale of snacks and drinks, which represent the second largest source of income for the cinema operator Kinepolis. Photo: Matic Zorman / Maison Moderne

The country’s largest cinema operator, Kinepolis, has announced that Covidcheck will be introduced in its three Luxembourg cinemas as of next Wednesday, 28 July.

In practice, this means that in order to gain access to one of the multiplexes, it will be necessary to present a vaccination certificate, a recovery certificate, or a negative Covid-19 PCR or antigenic test certificate.

“Our customers have been asking for a more ‘traditional’ visit to the cinema in recent weeks, and were wondering why drinking in the cinema was prohibited,” explains Christophe Eyssartier, head of Kinepolis cinemas in Luxembourg.

The company therefore re-evaluated the procedures in force, namely the compulsory wearing of masks, the ban on eating and drinking, and the three empty seats between each group of moviegoers.

We will initially limit ourselves to half of the normal capacity.
Christophe Eyssartier

Christophe EyssartiermanagerKinepolis cinemas in Luxembourg

“We will not reopen at full capacity as of 28 July; we will initially limit ourselves to half of the normal capacity,” says Eyssartier.

This new procedure will allow spectators to remove their masks during the screening of the film and to consume drinks and snacks. These elements represent the second biggest source of revenue for Kinepolis, representing 28.3% of its turnover in 2019 and 26.1% last year, its annual report shows.

On-site self-testing still possible, but as a last resort

In practice, a Covidcheck station will be set up at the entrance to each complex. All spectators aged six and over will have to present their certificate or, failing that, take a quick self-test on site, which will cost €2.50. Kinepolis recommends arriving one hour before the start of the screening to take the test, which will no longer be possible 15 minutes before the start of the film.

“We really want to encourage our customers to prepare their visit, i.e., if they are not vaccinated or tested, they should make arrangements before their visit to the cinema so as to avoid creating a long wait,” says Eyssartier.

Kinepolis employs around 60 people in its three cinemas located respectively in Kirchberg, Limpertsberg and Esch-Belval. Its 22 screens, which reopened on 13 January, constitute the largest movie theatre group in Luxembourg.