Now approaching its eleventh month closed, Fusion Superplex has yet to reopen despite written requests to Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis, at least three times since December for permission to operate its cinemas.
Fusion Superplex reopened its Edge outdoor restaurant in December, however the rest of the 100,000-square-foot facility has remained closed since last March, when COVID-19 emergency orders were implemented.
Letters obtained by Guardian Business from Fusion Superplex Chief Legal Officer Tecoyo Bridgewater to the prime minister reveal that the company wrote letters requesting a phased reopening in September 2020 and then again on December 21, 2020; December 27, 2020; and January 27, 2021.
Another letter from Director of the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) Melony McKenzie to “the proprietors of Fusion Superplex” and dated December 17, stated that the DEHS has no objections to the consideration for the reopening of the facility.
The letter showed that Fusion Superplex had
completed and submitted DEHS documents, including the Ministry of Health’s adapted COVID-19 readiness tool; proof of adherence to the DEHS COVID-19 environmental guidelines document for addressing commercial buildings for reopening; a COVID-19 operations plan; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system information; international guiding protocols and COVID-19 readiness training; as well as the findings of an environmental inspection carried out by the DEHS on December 17.
In the letter addressed to the prime minister dated December 27, Bridgewater requested special approval for the reopening of cinema activity at Fusion Superplex beginning January 29.
“We hereby make further application for the exercise of the power of the competent authority under the act, to approve under special circumstances for the allowance of Fusion Superplex to operate its cinema. We have been advised that the medical advisory team at the Ministry of Health has favorably recommended the phased opening of the facility. With this, we hereby request for the operation of our Pure VIP cinemas, also our other cinemas at a reduced occupancy rate, beginning Friday, January 29, 2021,” the letter states.
“Allowing the reopening of our cinema offerings will alleviate a great amount of financial burden on our business and return income to many of our 350 employees who remain at home out of work. On the mandate of ensuring public health, we have implemented controls to ensure safety measures are adhered to.”
The letter continues, “We recognized the national reduction in the rate of infections and deaths resulting from COVID-19. It is our intention to assist in the continuation of this trend. It should be noted that with two weeks of operation of our outdoor restaurant, we have yet to experience any recorded COVID-19 infections. We are grateful for this consideration and look forward to you approving the opening of the outlets requested.”
Fusion Superplex employees 350 people, the majority of whom remain furloughed since March.
The company has lamented that it feels left in limbo as other sectors of the economy have opened to the public with social distancing and safety measures including hotels, restaurants and schools.
When contacted by Guardian Business yesterday, Bridgewater offered no comment.
Fusion Superplex’s facility includes an IMAX cinema, 4DX cinema, XS3 cinema, Pure VIP theaters, a kids zone and an arcade.
In the culinary arena, the complex has the Altitude and Edge restaurants along with the SubZero Nitrogen ice cream bar, which also serves Starbucks products.
The post Letters show Fusion made multiple requests to reopen cinemas appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/letters-show-fusion-made-multiple-requests-to-reopen-cinemas/
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