The pandemic continues, but some movie theater chains will be re-opening in the U.S. this week, and they’re offering incentives to get people back in the seats. AMC Theaters, the world’s largest cinema chain, as well as others, is opening their doors in select cities today, August 20th.
Theaters will remain closed in the biggest movie-going markets, including Los Angeles and New York, where local officials say the COVID-19 risk remains too high to safely open theaters. But, AMC is opening up theaters in Chicago, however, and they’re offering big incentives to get people through the doors, including 15-cent admissions on re-opening day at more than 100 locations, discounted popcorn, and other snacks.
We are excited to share we will open more than 100 U.S. locations on Thursday, 8/20. Another 300 will open during the following 2 weeks and the remainder will open only after authorized to do so by state and local officials. Check for your theatre now: https://t.co/4yQ7dhTF21 pic.twitter.com/DInzxtmvMW
— AMC Theatres (@AMCTheatres) August 13, 2020
AMC is offering $5 screenings of past hits such as “Back to the Future” and “Black Panther.” It’s unclear how many people will actually visit cinemas during the pandemic, but theaters are also putting more safeguards in place, including requiring customers and employees to wear masks when not eating or drinking, extra sanitizing of auditoriums, capping attendance at a half or third of capacity, and leaving empty seats between groups.
But, should you be flocking back with movie fans to theaters right now? According to the AV Club, Epidemiologist Dr. Abdul El-Sayed says going to the movies is, quote, “just about the last thing I’d do right now.”
He adds, quote, “Being in a room for two hours with a bunch of folks who are laughing at a movie, and where air is not being circulated in an efficient way, and where you don’t know who has been in there before you, that’s really hazardous exposure. I just don’t think it’s worth it.”
In the same article, UCLA epidemiologist Dr. Anne W. Rimoin says, quote, “There is no scenario in which going to a movie theater is a good idea.” If you must go to the movies, El-Sayed says you should do everything TOUCHLESS: Buy your ticket online, have it on your phone, don’t let an employee touch your phone, go straight to your theater, and sit as far away from others as possible.
So, are you ready to go back to a movie theater??
