The Wanda cinema is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Feb 23, 2020. (Photo: Sipa)

BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese movie theaters in low-risk areas have been allowed to resume operation starting from July 20 following an improvement in the COVID-19 epidemic situation, the China Film Administration announced Thursday.

These movie theaters should reopen on the premise that proper prevention and control measures have been put into place, the administration said in a circular, noting that cinemas should suspend their operation once their localities are adjusted to be medium- or high-risk areas.