AMC reopens some theaters months after coronavirus pandemic shuttered business
FILE – In this April 29, 2020 file photo, the AMC sign appears at AMC Burbank 16 movie theater complex in Burbank, Calif. AMC Theaters, the nation’s largest chain, is pushing back its plans to begin reopening theaters by two weeks. The company said Monday that it would open approximately 450 U.S. locations on July 30 and the remaining 150 the following week. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
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CHICAGO (NewsNation) — Months after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down movie theaters, some silver screens are up and running again.
On Thursday, AMC Theatres reopened more than 100 movie houses across the United States — with some ticket prices as low as 15 cents. Those seats quickly sold out.
AMC CEO Adam Aron released a video statement Thursday saying his company has consulted with scientists and experts at Harvard and the company is spending millions of dollars on cleaning supplies and equipment.
“The health and safety of our movie theatre guests and our movie theatre staff is our absolute highest priority at AMC,” said Aron.
The Alamo Drafthouse in Lubbock, Texas hired additional crew members to keep people safe.
“We did add a new position called the safety crew. So it’s just team members who are going around constantly cleaning, sanitizing those high touch point areas like countertops and door handles,” said General Manager Alvine Vielleux.
Like AMC theaters, Vielleux said the Alamo Drafthouse is also providing seat buffers.
“If you purchase your tickets online, your purchase says your group of two guests coming in, automatically online, those two seats that are on either side of you that are open, they’re no longer available,” said Vielleux.
AMC says another 300 theaters will open during the next two weeks and the remainder will open only after authorized to do so by state and local officials.
“I think people inherently want to go out,” said Tampa moviegoer, Jason Payne. “They want to live a normal life. They don’t think we want to stay couped up so I think eventually everything is going to reopen again but we just have to keep doing the right thing, listen to what people tell you to do. If they tell you to wear a mask, wear a mask.”
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