(Reuters) - Cineworld Group (L:CINE) and Picturehouse plan to close its movie theatres in the UK from Wednesday and in Ireland from Tuesday until further notice, due to the virus outbreak.
The move follows a government directive asking people to avoid visiting pubs, restaurants and cinemas following the pandemic.
Cineworld, the world's second-largest cinema operator, joins Cineplex (TO:CGX) and AMC Entertainment (N:AMC) in temporarily shutting down its theatres.
Shares in Cineworld, which has also closed its Regal Cinemas in the United States, were down 27.5% at 27.18 pence by 1311 GMT.