Porsches, Popcorn and Social Distancing at a Dubai Theater

 

People in the Middle Eastern city of Dubai have been unhappy about the closure of movie theaters during the coronavirus crisis¹. But soon, they will be able to watch films from their own cars at a new drive-in theater. It was built on top of one of the world's largest shopping malls.

Social distancing is a requirement in the United Arab Emirates, or UAE. The company operating the open-air theater, VOX Cinemas, said only two people in each car will be permitted. The theater can hold up to 75 cars.

The cost is $50 for each vehicle, which includes popcorn² and other snacks as well as drinks.

Porsche driver Xavier Libbrecht told Reuters news agency³, "We keep our social distancing," so the drive-in cinema is a great idea. A Porsche is a very costly⁴ sports car. Libbrecht attended a special event at the drive-in movie theater held before it officially opened.

Dubai is the center of business and tourism in the United Arab Emirates. It has been easing⁵ coronavirus restrictions⁶ since the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began three weeks ago. But Dubai is now permitting malls and restaurants to reopen if they accept a limited number of people.

Children ages three to 12 and people over age 60 are still barred from these businesses, including the new cinema.

"Any excuse to get out [of] the house during coronavirus times," said Patrick. He is a member of a Porsche car club invited to a recent event at the theater. He added that since movie-goers stay in their own cars, hearing others eating their snacks is not a problem.

At the theater launch⁷, movie-goers enjoyed a cool evening breeze⁸. But, they still turned their car engines on and off to get cooler air. Temperatures can rise above 40 degrees Celsius⁹ in Dubai during the summer months and the hot air can be oppressive.

Dubai is a place many people visit for its shopping and fun activities. But, it has been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis because of travel restrictions and business closures.

The United Arab Emirates has recorded more than 20,386 coronavirus infections and about 206 deaths.

I'm Alice Bryant.

Words in This Story

mall –n. a large building or group of buildings containing stores of many different kinds and sizes

cinema –n. a movie theater

snack –n. a small amount of food eaten between meals

tourism –n. the business of providing hotels, restaurants, entertainment and other things for people who are traveling

breeze –n. a gentle wind

1 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

2 popcorn   

n.爆米花

参考例句：

• I like to eat popcorn when I am watching TV play at home.当我在家观看电视剧时，喜欢吃爆米花。
• He still stood behind his cash register stuffing his mouth with popcorn.他仍站在收银机后，嘴里塞满了爆米花。

3 agency   

n.经办；代理；代理处

参考例句：

• This disease is spread through the agency of insects.这种疾病是通过昆虫媒介传播的。
• He spoke in the person of Xinhua News Agency.他代表新华社讲话。

4 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

5 easing   

松开，放松

参考例句：

• Eucalyptus oil is good for easing muscular aches and pains. 桉树油可以很好地缓解肌肉的疼痛。
• Everywhere at about the same time the work was easing off. 几乎在同一时候，到处工作都搞完了。 来自英汉文学

6 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

7 launch   

vt.发动，推出；发射；n.发射，下水，投产

参考例句：

• The makers are about to launch out a new product.制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。
• Would it be wise to launch into this rough sea?在这样汹涌的大海中游泳明智吗？

8 breeze   

n.微风；轻而易举的事；vi.来去匆匆，急速走

参考例句：

• A little breeze is blowing in from the window.微风从窗户里吹进来。
• The clouds are pale and a light breeze is blowing.云淡风轻。

9 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。