KUALA LUMPUR: Drive-in outdoor cinemas will soon make a return to Malaysia.
A special ministerial meeting on the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) has agreed to approve the application of drive-in outdoor cinemas, which would allow moviegoers to view films from within their cars.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the re-introduction of the cinema-viewing method would be in keeping with standard operating procedures (SOPs) implemented amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
"(The SOPs) include ensuring visitors remain in their respective vehicles (at drive-in cinemas) and the selling of food (is conducted) online, with only drive-thru collection.
"Rela (People's Volunteer Corps) personnel must also be stationed to monitor the movement of people," he said in a statement today.
He said the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, along with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, will provide the SOPs in detail to serve as a reference for operators involved.
It was reported that a new drive-in cinema operator is targeting July 15 for the premiere of the outdoor movie-watching experience in Malaysia, dubbed "the first drive-in cinema".
But the outdoor cinema is not a new attraction in the country, as the popular Nokia's Starlight Cinema has been held at various parks in the Klang Valley from 2003.