Movie theaters reopen Friday in Olympia area with plans for seeing films safely
After months of theaters being shuttered, two locations — both in Thurston County — will reopen on Friday.
The locations, Regal Martin Village in Lacey and Century Olympia in Olympia, are the sole locations being reopened for each respective chain in the state.
Both locations will be showing older films such as “Black Panther,” “Inception,” and “Jaws.”
But they also will be be showing new releases, including the suspense film “Unhinged” starring Russell Crowe. “Unhinged” is part of Hollywood’s tentative attempt to begin opening new releases in theaters again to see whether it can be done safely and profitably. On Aug. 28, the long delayed “The New Mutants” will be getting its release as well.
Other releases, such as “The One and Only Ivan”, “Mulan” and “Antebellum” cancelled planned theatrical releases in favor of digital releases. Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” postponed a theatrical release in the United States without any plans for a digital release.
The plans for theatrical releases represent a new period in the COVID-19 pandemic which until now had seen drive-in theaters make a resurgence as the only place to see films on the big screen. Now, indoor auditoriums will be testing the waters and doing so with a long list of precautions in an attempt to reduce risks of potential outbreaks.
Theaters in Washington will require guests to wear masks at all times except for when eating and drinking. Employees will similarly be required to wear masks. There will be restrictions on seating capacity and proximity to other moviegoers in an attempt to maximize physical distancing.
On their website, Regal features a video instructing customers how to abide by the rules and guidelines they are putting in place. The video also pledges that employees will undergo daily screenings and that theaters will be cleaned after each showing. Both chains will also be doing frequent cleanings of concessions stands and restrooms.
On their website, Cinemark said in addition to similar strict guidelines they will be providing each theater with a “Chief Clean & Safety Monitor” who will be “on duty during all operating hours to ensure the highest standards of safety, physical distancing, cleanliness and sanitizing.”
When reached for comment about how the monitor is selected, a Cinemark spokesperson said “this individual is selected by Cinemark’s operations leadership based on tenure with the company, management experience and attention to detail.”
In the event that an employee or customer tests positive for COVID-19, the spokesperson said “Cinemark will alert the appropriate local authorities and proceed with their recommended next steps.” They also said that guests who attend without a mask will be offered one; otherwise, they will be asked to leave. Cinemark will also be screening employees before every shift.
Another theater chain, AMC, currently has no locations in Washington listed as opening, saying they “will reopen when local guidelines allow.” AMC Theaters had previously said they would not be requiring masks until they reversed course following criticism.
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Movie theaters reopen Friday in Olympia area with plans for seeing films safely."
