Cineplex Launches 5,000 Employees in Canada Due to Omicron Wave

KOMPAS.com– Cineplex Canada has temporarily laid off approximately 5,000 of its part-time employees.

This was done after their cinema in Ontario closed amid the coronavirus pandemic since Wednesday (5/1/2022).

“With the mandatory shutdowns of our theaters and entertainment venues across Ontario, we have made a difficult but necessary decision,” a Cineplex spokesperson said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“To lay off our part-time workforce again, which will have an impact on nearly 5,000 jobs. “

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However, the suspension would only be temporary.

According to the spokesperson, they will hire them as soon as the restrictions are lifted.

“We want our team to return to work once and for all as soon as these temporary restrictions are lifted,” a spokesperson said.

During this time, part-time employees on temporary layoff can take advantage of unemployment benefits in the Canadian provinces during their free time.

And will be offered the option of being rehired when Cineplex resumes opening theaters in Ontario.

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Since the announcement, Canada’s largest cinema operator has had to close its theaters in Ontario.

The temporary shutdown of theaters in Ontario is expected to last until January 28.

Cineplex is known to operate 67 multiplexes in Ontario.

Last weekend at the box office, Ontario won just 2.1 percent of ticket sales in North America, but over 40 percent of the Canadian box office.

In March 2020, Cineplex experienced similar layoffs across Canada during the first phase of the pandemic.

Previously, Cineplex faced theaters in Quebec when the provincial health notice recommended tightening restrictions for Covid-19 hotspots, including Toronto and Montreal, where the number of cases of the omicron variant soared sharply.

Of note, the Ontario government is working to stem the surge in omicron variant infections after the holidays to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed and allow schools to reopen in mid-January.

On the other hand, Sony recently moved its Marvel movie, Morbius, from January 28 to April 1.

The next big release after that date was February 4th with Paramount’s Jackass Forever and Lionsgate’s Moonfall.

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