Viruses Can Be Contagious Through The Air, Cinemas Must Have Ventilation

JAKARTA - At the end of this month, all theaters will reopen. An epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, said that management must provide air ventilation in the theater room.

This follows the development of COVID-19 which can be transmitted through the air. Even this virus can survive for several hours in the air. For that, maximum prevention must be done.

"During a pandemic, it is okay if the cinema opens. However, the cinema that is allowed to open must have a ventilation or exhaust fan," Miko told VOI, Tuesday, July 14.

Miko said, theater buildings that only use air conditioner (AC) can increase the concentration level of the spread of COVID-19. Because, the use of air conditioning in a closed room does not allow air circulation from outside to take turns going inside.

So, when someone infected with COVID-19 sneezes and talks, the microdroplet will only move indoors.

Therefore, it is necessary to install ventilation in the theater to function as air circulation. Thus, the air inside can be replaced with air from outside and the concentration of COVID-19 transmission can be minimized.

Adding, an epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Ede Darmawan, said that the provisions for the cinemas to be opened were not only limited to air ventilation. Cinema managers must also apply the basic protocol for preventing COVID-19 for workers and visitors.

First, all workers must wear personal protective equipment such as masks and face shields. Visitors who are not wearing masks are not allowed to enter the cinema.

"Before entering the cinema, visitors must wash their hands with soap or use a hand sanitizer. Then, visitors showing symptoms of illness may not be allowed to enter," he said.

In addition, said Ede, the seat capacity of the spectators must be spaced apart by one seat and the seat capacity used must be 50 percent. Then, as much as possible ticket purchases are made online (online) to minimize queue buildup.

"The basic requirements are vigilance and adherence to health protocols. However, we must be ready and consistent in implementing the new norms, namely a more disciplined life with health protocols," said Ede.

The cinemas that will be opened include Cinema XXI, CGV, Cinepolis, Dakota Cinema, Platinum, and New Star Cineplex.

Meanwhile, Doni Monardo, Chair of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling of COVID-19, emphasized that his party had not yet provided recommendations for opening cinemas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Theaters are included in the category of activities that have not received recommendation from the Task Force. So all activities in closed spaces, the potential for transmission to occur within one hour to 1.5 hours have not received recommendations," said Doni.

He said that so far, the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19 has only allowed outdoor tourism such as national parks or beaches. "That is what we have just given a recommendation. Meanwhile, we do not allow urban tourism, including entertainment," he said.

Doni said that so far there has been no request for a permit from the local government to his party. He said that every sector opened up during a pandemic must be consulted with the Task Force.

Moreover, Doni is not sure that people can obey health protocols when watching movies in theaters. "Can you guarantee that when he sneezes he actually covers his mouth with a mask or handkerchief. If suddenly it is uncontrolled, then the aerosol will come out, one room could be exposed. So this is a very big risk," he said.

"Later, we will try to appeal to the organizers, the association. Please consider it. Be patient first. Better to be patient for a while to prepare everything rather than hastily making decisions," added Doni.