Cinemas across Myanmar have closed as of March 16 due to coronavirus fears and the Film Promotion Department will announce their reopening date. 

The ban was announced by the Ministry of Information on March 16 and the cinemas will close until the end of April. Moreover, festivities including the Thingyan festival and other mass gatherings have been banned. 

“The Ministry of Information ordered on March 16 to shutter all cinemas across the country. The cinemas and producers have wanted to halt showing movies since Thursday. Now, they have closed after the ministry’s announcement. Roughly, they will reopen in early May,” said Nyi Nyi Tun Lwin, chairman of Myanmar Motion Picture Association. 

The cinemas across the country are mostly owned by Mingalar Cinema Group, JCGV Cinema Group, Mega Ace Cineplex, and Paradiso  Cinema.