Movie theaters, for now, stay open nationwide

[left-of-center2012]

With few exceptions, movie theaters across North America are remaining open while Broadway theaters, sports arenas and museums close their doors to help curtail the spread of the coronavirus. The largest chains are all operating, though some theaters are taking unusual precautions.

AMC Theaters and Regal Cinemas, the country’s two largest chains, on Friday each said they would fill their theaters no more than 50%. AMC said it would begin the policy Saturday and keep it until the end of April to help facilitate social distancing. In larger auditoriums, the chain will no longer sell more than 250 tickets for a showing.

The bans against large crowds vary across the country and are rapidly changing, forcing different strategies for movie theaters in various parts of the country. California’s ban prohibits more than 250 people in a single space. New York’s limits gatherings to 500. Ohio puts its number at 100 people. More states are likely to enact further bans in the near future, as governments work to constrict transmission of the virus.

In many parts of the world, cinemas have already shuttered. China, the world’s second largest movie market, closed its theaters more than a month ago. More recently, Italy, India, Greece, Poland, Lebanon and Kuwait have followed suit. On Friday, Europe extended the cinema shutdown in most theaters in Spain and Germany, as well as those in Denmark and Norway.

https://apnews.com/3ca84b3aff2a2435753536ee140f8882

[hauckeye]

1. Good to hear

My daughter has a second job at a Cinemark, I hope it stays open

[jimfields33]

2. I hope they do

[Popcorn Samurai]

3. I work

Saturdays managing an art house theater. With the exception of the house manager and the projectionist we are all volunteer run, mostly older retired people. I usually have 15-20 people throughout the day. I just checked the schedule for tomorrow. Eight. But attendance has been down also. Glad I don't do it for the money but just cause I enjoy it. We are also limiting our attendance to 40% or our capacity, not that that is really needed.

[AlexSFCA]

4. not where you wanna go right now

[Brainfodder]

5. Letting fools infect each other?

Evil...

$hameful!

[uponit7771]

6. This doesn't sound like a good thing unless there are only 20 people in a 100 person theatre

[marlakay]

7. Mine sent email saying staying open

But sanitizing multiple times per day, they have new seating those comfortable leather ones with foot rest like chair at home. More space in between and cup holders, they sell wine and beer along with other stuff. I have been going more until this. They said they are cleaning after every movie even cup holders. Not sure if i believe it but they are making effort.

Mine is Cinemark theatres.