Are you tired of hearing news related to COVID-19? Us too. While the situation is getting harder every day, it is important to mute the news and ignore the negativity for sometime. For the past few months, most of us have been quarantining (as everyone should) but, it is also important to consider how we can slowly return to normal.
Several countries abroad have already begun fun initiatives that can help make going back to normal interesting and relatively safer. But let’s start with what Egypt is working on and what else can be applied here too. However, for the pathway of returning to normal to actually be in action, the curve of rising COVID-19 cases must flatten and be in decline.
1) Mall of Arabia’s New Drive-In Cinema
Mall of Arabia recently announced that they would be making the first drive-in cinema in Egypt soon. And of course, they are already on top of the important questions by asking people what movies and snacks they’d like to find in this kind of cinema.
The entertainment businesses that generally include malls, cinemas, restaurants and sporting clubs have been badly hit by the virus. But it was about time to think outside the box to come up with innovative ways to get things up and running again.
Germany Cinema Drive-in
According to Ahram Online, several drive-in cinema projects have begun around the Arab region one of which was in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, UAE. They can attest to it being an incredible idea. One of their local newspapers, The National wrote that, “with social distancing now a true necessity, the vintage trend may be the medium-term future of movie-watching.”
Interestingly, Egypt Independent wrote that this isn’t Egypt’s first time having a drive-cinema. “During the 1990s, drive-in cinemas were popular throughout Egypt and there was a project at the Cairo-Ismailia road. The project eventually stopped.”
2) Restaurants Are Still Closed, But Can They Reopen Soon?
For the time being, all restaurants, cafes, and any source of food outlet is operating via delivery and pick up. We managed to have access to some of our favorite food during Ramadan, Eid and now too. It’s unclear when it will be safe for restaurants and cafes to reopen and if the numbers continue to rise, they definitely will not reopen soon. However, when they do open up in Egypt, we cannot expect them to look the same.
From AP
Restaurants and cafes abroad are doing all sorts of things to ensure social distancing is respected and implemented. Eater explained that food places abroad have human-shaped objects and random non-human shaped objects seated across tables and chairs as a way to minimize the number of people sitting next to each other.
Other food outlets have even placed literal glass-like transparent barriers between tables and between people at each table. Meaning, you could be sitting at a table with three people and see them only through transparent shields. These are just some of the things for Egyptian restaurants and cafes to consider when the time for reopening comes.
Generally, if some of you have taken a spin in the car lately past fast food chains, there are queues of people waiting outside for their food. It’s fair enough that sitting inside fast food outlets is currently not allowed, but this does not mean that people are social distancing outside the door as they wait for their order. Notable, Burger King abroad in Germany is making social distancing crowns. It’s another fun way to implement social distancing among people.
3) For Those Who Are Staying Home A Little Longer
While some countries, including Egypt, move towards returning to normal (as in, going back to work becomes normal and leaving your house becomes normal), not everyone will do so at once. Those who live with elderly or people with other health conditions that could cause them to catch the virus faster will not necessarily jump at the first opportunity to go out.
Hence, online entertainment is still ongoing. Recently, it has been announced that some of the legendary director Youssef Chahines’ work will be available to watch on Netflix. Well known for his unique style and daring decisions in film, Chahine is the one who remodeled Arab cinema into something artistic.
According to Daily News Egypt, the films on Netflix include the award-winning Iskenderiye Leh (Why Alexandria?), Seraa’ Fi Al Wadi (Conflict in the Valley) and the twice-banned Al Mohaged (The Immigrant).
This is one of many of the entertainment sources online. There are options to take online classes, learn a new language, participate in art therapy and attend music concerts that take place virtually. 925Egypt previously wrote about the importance of exercising at home during quarantine, and gave suggestions on how to spend weekends.
While the rest of the world opens up, those who are at risk need to have the luxury of being able to stay at home safely. Perhaps not everyone is comfortable going to drive-in cinemas, ordering delivery or talking walks in the fresh air yet. And that is completely okay because putting your own health first is always the best decision.
