In a statement, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) said cinemas will continue to be subject to all the standard operating procedures set by the National Security Council (MKN) under conditional MCO and recovery MCO.

Today, senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang would be placed under a conditional movement control order (CMCO) effective March 5, while Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak and Perak stay as CMCO states.

Meanwhile, he added that Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya and Labuan are now under the recovery movement control order (RMCO). Perlis remains under an RMCO.

There are currently no states under the movement control order (MCO).

Finas said filming activities and cinema operations in CMCO and RMCO states have been allowed depending on SOP compliance including infection control and restriction protocols, health screenings, disinfection and sanitisation of premises, social distancing, worker safety protocols and also having emergency procedures in place.

“Finas will inform everyone on latest developments from time to time through media announcements and through the Finas website at www.finas.gov.my as well as social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @FINASMalaysia.“

Cinemas have been closed since January when the movement control order was enforced.

Cinema operators have been pushing for the reopening of movie theatres, using the hashtag #reopencinemas on social media as part of efforts to get Putrajaya to lift restrictions on their operations.

The Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors have also appealed to the government for permission to reopen.

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