Cinemas in low-risk areas in China started to reopen under COVID-19 prevention protocols July 20 and some cinemas in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, reopened on the same day.

According to the guideline released by the China Film Administration, all tickets – which are sold for alternative seats – should be reserved online with buyers providing proof of identity. Viewers are required to wear masks during the entire screening. 

Also, at every screening of a film no longer than two hours – the theater is required to sell no more than 30 percent of seats.

The award-winning A First Farewell became the first new film to be released after the reopening. The movie is a story about familial ties told from the perspective of three Uygur children.