Riyadhs drive-in theaters back in business

One of Riyadh’s growing attractions, the drive-in cinema has allowed visitors to enjoy a safe experience while maintaining social distancing. Officially opened in January of this year, the reopening of MUVI’s drive-in theaters last Tuesday resumed with the launch of the Flash of Riyadh initiative in collaboration with the Tarfat Ein Company, organized by the Riyadh Municipality.

MUVI’s Events Operation Director Munir Al-Jeberty told Arab News that the cinema chain’s drive-in theaters were exercising all necessary precautions by using Tawakkalna app, enforcing temperature checks and the use of face masks, and taking extra care in the handling of food and beverages.

“Young men and women constitute the majority of guests, with women outnumbering men,” said Hasan Al-Garni, director at Tarfat Ein Company for Drive-in Theaters and of the media center for the Flash of Riyadh Initiative.

He noted that the initiative, which was launched last week, focuses on neighborhoods that are located away from more crowded areas.

“We offer three shows for international movies during the weekdays, but over the weekend we hold four shows a day. There are mobile food trucks and kiosks offering different snacks to enjoy during the intermission,” he said.

In addition to the mobile trucks, MUVI provides the option of procuring snacks and beverages through the MUVI Cinemas application. All food and beverages are to be consumed only in cars, as per regulations from the Ministry of Health. Al-Garni stressed that only two passengers were allowed per vehicle.

Al-Garni said that from January until the beginning of February, the daily average number of cars was 140. From March 7, however, this number dropped to 70 cars during weekdays, with the average daily number over weekends reaching 100.

Lubna Al-Aboudy, a Riyadh resident, said: “I feel more comfortable attending the drive-in cinema than going to a closed theater because there is more room to practice social distancing in the former.”

When asked if drive-in cinemas should remain even after the pandemic, she said: “A lot of people say it’s a clever, temporary solution to current events, but I believe that we should continue to embrace the drive-in cinema even after the pandemic is way behind us. There is a sense of nostalgia to the whole thing.”