Kinepolis expects the new health measure to have an impact on the attendance of its cinemas, despite the presence of many blockbusters. (Photo: Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne/Archives)

Kinepolis expects the new health measure to have an impact on the attendance of its cinemas, despite the presence of many blockbusters. (Photo: Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne/Archives)

In order to enter cinemas, adults will have to be recovered or vaccinated and in the absence of a third vaccine dose, a certified antigen test will be required, explains Kinepolis.

A race against time began on Wednesday for Luxembourg cinemas: from Saturday, they will meaning that only people who have recovered from covid or are vaccinated will be able to access cinemas, and even then only with a three-dose vaccination certificate or, failing that, with a quick self-test carried out on the spot.

“We were caught off guard. Operationally it will not be possible to have self-tests available from Saturday in the cinemas,” explains Christophe Eyssartier, director of Kinepolis Luxembourg.

This is why the movie theatre chain plans to initially--probably until the end of 2021--allow access to spectators who have been vaccinated three times as well as those who have received two doses and can present a certified antigen test. Those under 12 years and two months of age are exempt from the CovidCheck scheme.

“We do not have the time or the means at an infrastructural level to organise rapid tests on site,” explains Eyssartier. He added that “we are in very close contact with the ministry of culture so that it can provide us with tests, but it will take a few more days to receive them.”

Only one in four residents is “boosted”

From Saturday, it is better to prepare for the cinema in advance by buying tickets online and taking the time to arrive early enough to pass the covid control.

Kinepolis expects the health measures to have an impact on attendance at its cinemas. And for good reason, the latest figures from the ministry of health show 166,633 residents have received a booster shot on 21 December, i.e. only 26% of the population. As for the other adult spectators, they must present an antigen test , the cost of which varies from 25 euros to 34.90 euros.

Eyssartier clearly prefers this system, which has been put in place ahead of setting up--probably by the beginning of January--of areas dedicated to self-testing on the spot, and believes that it makes access to cinemas more fluid, especially at a traditionally busy time of the year.

Spider-Man:No Way Home, The Matrix Resurrections, West Side Story and Sing 2 are some of the blockbusters featured on the cinema's programme. The cold weather and school holidays also bring in extra crowds at this time of year.

In Belgium, the authorities have announced the closure of cinemas from Sunday until at least 28 January. While it is too early to say whether the measure will have an impact on film releases, Luxembourg cinemas do depend on Belgian distributors for many new releases. As for a possible shift in attendance, “given the geographical situation, it will be very limited. I don't really expect a lot of people from Belgium to come to Luxembourg cinemas,” says Eyssartier.

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.