MULTIMEDIA

LOOK: SM Pampanga opens 1st drive-in theater amid COVID-19 pandemic

For those missing the big-screen movie experience, drive-in theaters are making a comeback amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

SM Cinemas introduced the first drive-in theater in the country, dubbed SM Cinemas: Movies at Sundown, which opened Friday at SM City Pampanga's Ampitheater in San Fernando with the screening of "Train to Busan 2: Peninsula."

Movie theaters are allowed to open under modified general community quarantine.

Reminiscent of the earlier times of movie-watching, the outdoor setup with a maximum of 87 vehicles per time slot allows patrons to enjoy the latest movies in the comfort of their vehicles, while at the same time allowing for the observance of physical distancing guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force.

Guests are assigned parking spots and will watch the film from a 20 x 8-meter screen raised 3 feet from the ground. Once settled, guests are asked to tune in to a specific frequency in their FM radio to broadcast the movie's audio from their vehicles.

A maximum of four people is allowed per vehicle. Attendees must also be between the ages of 21 and 59, pursuant to the safety guidelines set by the IATF.

Viewers are also asked to stay inside their vehicles with their masks on and practice physical distancing all throughout the duration of the film screening.

Guests can also choose the 6:30 p.m. or 8:50 p.m. screening up to August 2.

The screening will be every Thursday to Sunday at 6:45 p.m. in succeeding weeks. Tickets must be purchased online, as no tickets will be sold at the venue.

Drive-in theaters in 5 other SM branches will soon open, as quarantine protocols ease per region.