The latest reports have it that The Toronto International Film Festival will now require all guests to wear masks or face coverings at all times at its downtown headquarters, TIFF Bell Lightbox, even when they are seated in a cinema.

It was weeks ago when TFF had stated in their website that masks are mandatory inside the venue, but they didn’t need to be worn while being seated inside the auditorium during the festival, which runs Thursday, through September 19.

Such a mask policy is permitted under the current COVID-19 government guidelines, but recently TIFF has updated its rules seeing the news headlines about the raised concerns on social media this week.

TIFF has now decided to shut the Lightbox concession stands which would thereby eliminate the point of contact between patrons and staff during the pandemic-tailored festival.

It has also said that no food or beverage will be consumed or allowed in the venue, and masks or face coverings must be worn at all times by the staff and patrons.

The festival is most likely to be held online and includes some in-person screenings that will also be socially distanced, with assigned seating and limited audiences at the Lightbox, two drive-ins, and an open-air cinema.

The organizers have been working closely with the government and the public health officials since March to adhere to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols, which wraps an audience of 50 guests per cinema.

Reportedly, TIFF is also getting health advice and safety, and cleaning protocols from corporate adviser Medcan.

The organization stated on its website that TIFF’s number-one priority is the health and well-being of the festival audiences, the residents of the entire community, and their staff. And, all the decisions have been undertaken by following the public gathering laws which have been set forward by the provincial and city health authorities since the start of the festival planning.

Moreover, the Lightbox has been closed since March due to the ongoing pandemic but is set to open under the COVID-19 protocols for the festival.

Last month, the Canadian cinema operator, Cineplex Entertainment has opened all its locations across the country. While the movie exhibitor requires its employees to wear masks, the guests, however, need to wear them in jurisdictions where it is regulated, and then they can take it off once seated in a cinema.

When being questioned on Wednesday, if the Cineplex is planning on changing its mask policy, the company reiterated in an emailed statement that it follows all the provincial guidelines and restated its current rules.

TIFF has also maintained a section on its website that outlines the health and safety instructions for the festival guests for in-person events.

It has stated that the employees at the Lightbox will monitor the atrium, the escalators, and elevators to encourage the traffic flow. The doors to the cinemas shall remain open such that no line ups are formed.