Good news! AMC Theatres are reopening on July 15. However, according to a new safety COVID protocol, all guests are required to wear protective masks during the shows. Would you wear a surgical mask at a movie theater?

AMC has been taking fire

AMC Theaters which is the largest theater chain in the world has been significantly negatively impacted by COVID-19. The company posted a $2.2 billion net loss in the first quarter and made “virtually no revenue” in the last two weeks of March. Furthermore, the company was taking heavy fire from the public after announcing that it will not require theater-goers to wear face coverings. This decision initiated a trending negative campaign hash-tagged #BoycottAMC that criticized AMC. The situation has caused AMC to reverse the decision and to require all guests to wear a face mask. 

AMC will require its guests to wear masks

Here are the highlights from the last announcement: As stated by AMC: “At AMC, we have been consulting with top scientists and health experts to create a broad, sweeping, far-reaching health and safety effort to make AMC Theatres safe for our guests and associates when our theatres reopen in July. Among many elements of that comprehensive plan was a requirement for our associates all to wear masks nationwide, as well as a requirement for our guests all to wear masks in the many parts of the country that will require it. In those areas of the country where masks will not be required, we nonetheless planned to strongly encourage mask usage by guests, and fully expected that the vast majority would do so”

1$ for a face mask

According to AMC: “Guests coming to our theatres may bring their own masks of course, but for those who do not have one, masks will be available at our theatre box offices at a nominal $1.00 price. Those who are unwilling to wear a mask will not be admitted or allowed to stay”. However, it’s important to mention that according to the new procedure, in the auditorium masks may be removed to enjoy food and drinks.

Guests coming to our theatres may bring their own masks of course, but for those who do not have one, masks will be available at our theatre box offices at a nominal $1.00 price. Those who are unwilling to wear a mask will not be admitted or allowed to stay…in the auditorium masks may be removed to enjoy food and drinks.

AMC

More changes due to COVID

Here are the additional changes announced by AMC: 

• Reduced Auditorium Capacities: Auditoriums will be reduced to 30% capacity or less. In auditoriums with traditional seating, every other row is blocked off for safety. In all auditoriums, including those wider AMC Signature Recliners, guests will leave an empty seat between them and other guests.
• Simplified Menu: Selections will be temporarily reduced to ensure shorter lines and quicker service. 

Final thoughts

Wearing a surgical mask during the show at a movie theater is certainly going to affect the whole experience. One of the major difficulties is the process of enforcing that regulation. AMC is trapped between the hammer and the anvil as many audiences will avoid visiting the venues waiting till COVID fades.

Would you wear a surgical mask at a movie theater? Comment below!