Avid movie-goer Cherylyn Phillips visits the cinema at least once a week with sister Tanya Clifford, and has done so for nearly 30 years.
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She said it's become a key social outing for them.
"When I heard they might close the picture theatres, I was getting a bit worried, because we look forward to going to the movies every week," Dapto retiree Mrs Phillips said.
"I'd hate for that to happen."
The coronavirus pandemic has led to the federal government banning all non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.
Social-distancing didn't prove too difficult for the siblings on Wednesday, as they were the only two patrons at a lunchtime screening of I Still Believe at the Gala Cinema, Warrawong.
However, Mrs Phillips said screenings during peak periods such as school holidays often attracted large crowds during the day. "We'll keep going while they're still open, but will be keeping our distance," she said.
The cinema's long-time owner, Ian Hyslop said they would be limiting their main theatre, which has a capacity of about 400 seats, to less than a hundred customers per screening, and would be "asking people to space out".
He said their smaller theatre, which can potentially seat more than a hundred, would also be limited to a maximum of 40 people for screenings of international and independent films.
"I will be checking, and if I do notice people too close together, I'll be asking them to spread out a bit more," he said.
"It'll be a bit of an inconvenience for everyone, but hopefully everyone pulls together."
A number of major studios have also delayed the cinematic release of films such as the latest outings in the James Bond and Fast and Furious franchises.
Mr Hyslop said a number of people within the industry were expecting the government to close cinemas, as has occurred in parts of Europe.
"It could happen... Everything's up in the air," he told the Mercury.
Damian Keogh, president and CEO of The Hoyts Group said they have placed a limit on the number of bookings that can be made through our systems.
"We have blocked out any additional seats to ensure that there will never be more than 100 people per auditorium.
"In addition to this, we have blocked out every other seat in our auditoriums to ensure our guests will have appropriate spacing between them and the next person."
Mr Keogh said they have also introduced a range of other measures to help ensure our guests' and team members' safety.
These include a virus cleaning agent which is being used at high touchpoint areas and surfaces, reminders in all toilets to hand wash, and regular seat cleaning between sessions.
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Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
