“Bistro Seating” – Bring your own seat covering, blanket and pillow to make yourself at home for the whole festival.
PRFF Health and Safety Protocols at the Patricia Theatre
The Powell River Film Society is carefully planning PRFF 2021, and our audience’s return to the beloved Patricia Theatre. We have developed a comprehensive set of protocols to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep our patrons, staff, and volunteers safe. We are following provincial guidelines, and as they shift, this information may change, so check back for the latest updates.
Purchasing Passes
This year’s PRFF is a passholder only event. No individual tickets will be sold. This is a safety measure to reduce contact and transactions at the theatre. Passholders should arrive between 15 and 30 minutes before the screening.
Our Volunteers/Staff and Your Safety
For our patrons’ safety, volunteers and staff are required to declare they are symptom-free before each film. They are instructed to stay home if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu, and will be sent home immediately if they begin to show symptoms during their shift.
Festival Seating
With only 50 seats occupied in our 260 seat theatre, there will be lots of space around your seat. We’re calling it Bistro Seating, where you pick your seat, customize it to your liking with a cover, cushion and blanket, and leave it there for the entire festival! Seating at the 3 different screening times (11am, 3pm, and 7pm) will be staggered, so no one will sit in your seat. We even have tables you can put in between seats to hold your drinks, popcorn, or festival treats.
• PRFF volunteers will assist with seating in the theatre. Patrons will chose their seat at the opening Festival screening and that will be your seat for all of PRFF.
Social Distancing
Steps have been taken to ensure social distancing is possible when visiting the Patricia and we request that patrons respect this.
• The theatre will have a reduced capacity of 50 to ensure social distancing and compliance with COVID-19 safety regulations.
• The 2 wheelchair and attendants’ spots must be reserved by phone call to the Patricia.
• Lineups for the restrooms will be managed by staff and volunteers to ensure appropriate distancing and observance of capacities.
• There will be increased time between screenings to avoid audience crossover, and to allow for increased cleaning procedures.
Masks & Hand Sanitizer
• All Patricia staff and volunteers will be wearing face masks at all times.
• We request all patrons wear a facemask when entering, in the lobby and while visiting the washrooms. Once seated in the theatre the mask may be removed. For patrons who have forgotten their mask at home, a supply of masks will be available at the theatre for a nominal charge.
• Hand sanitizing stations are located at the entrance and within the venue.
Cleaning
• We have developed an increased, systematic cleaning schedule. There will be extra time between screenings to incorporate these increased measures.
• A focus on regular cleaning of high-contact areas, such as door handles, counter tops, railings, and customer service barriers, thorough cleaning of the restrooms before, during, and after each screening.
• After-hours rigorous cleaning of the venue.
Attending Screenings
• Before attending a screening, please familiarize yourself with our safety guidelines in accordance with WorkSafeBC. As mentioned, we require that all patrons please wear a face mask when visiting the Patricia Theatre.
• If you feel unwell, particularly if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, we request that you please stay home.
• To provide social distancing in the theatre certain seats will not be in use and will be clearly marked as unavailable.
• The Patricia staff and volunteers will assist with seating in the theatre.
While in the theatre, we request that you:
• Remain in your chosen seat.
• Refrain from sitting in seats that are indicated as unavailable (they will be clearly marked).
Concession
• PRFF volunteers will collect your order and funds at your seat and deliver your items and change.
• The menu options have been reduced to speed concession transactions.
• Popcorn continues to be available! Other items include: Soft drinks, and assorted cinema treats.
• There will be no self-serve stations, and we are not allowing reusable cups nor refills into theatre provided popcorn cups, at this time.
Washrooms
• Washroom line-ups will be managed by Patricia staff and volunteers to ensure physical distancing while waiting in line.
• Hand hygiene signage is posted in the washrooms to encourage guests to wash hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
• Thorough cleaning of the restrooms will be conducted before, during, and after each screening.
Leaving the Theatre
• We request that you take your garbage with you and dispose of it in receptacles outside the theatre.
• Please exit one row at a time starting with the row closest to the exits (on the main level this is the row closest to the back of the theatre.
• Maintain physical distance on your way out. Thanks for your patience and for respecting your fellow Patricia Theatre guests!