As expected with the theaters in New York and Los Angeles have yet to open, and Beginning, In the first photo of the big event heading to August 12, the number 1 exhibitor in the US, Europe and the Middle East, AMC, will reopen its circuit on July 30 instead of July 15. On the new date, the Leawood, KS based on its phased plan to bring its more than 600 multiplexes back online in early August. The AMC has been closed across the country since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Adam Aron, CEO and President of AMC Theaters said: “We continue to dedicate extraordinary resources to our plan to operate our theaters with a hyper-commitment to the safety and health of our guests and associates, especially in the United States through our new AMC Safe. & Clean initiative. Our general theater managers in the US started working full time again today and are back in their theaters preparing to fully prepare their buildings within a few weeks for moviegoers. That happy day, when we can welcome guests to most of our theaters in the US, will be Thursday, July 30. “
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Once the US reopening begins, AMC plans to open its multiplexes in the 15 countries it operates. There are already some places open abroad.
When AMC announced its reopening plans two weeks ago, CEO Adam Aron was in trouble when he told Variety that he did not want to make a political problem and demand the use of masks in areas of the US where such security restrictions they had decreased. That said, AMC would still require the use of masks in areas that still required such COVID-19 precautions. A backlash erupted on social media and Aron reversed course, creating a circuit-wide restriction that all guests to AMC theaters must wear masks. Alamo Drafthouse had already decided before AMC that they would impose a circuit-wide requirement that all guests must wear face masks, with Regal Cinemas following AMC’s lead. Cinemark continues to maintain its policy of forcing guests to wear masks only in those areas of the country that require it.
AMC is implementing various security protocols after its reopening, such as electrostatic seat cleaning and partnering with Clorox. More details can be found here.
