Regal Cinemas will now require guests to wear face masks.
The theater updated its policy Friday to ask guests to follow the same requirements as employees at the theater.
The policy says: “As related to our employees, guests will also be required to wear masks. Disposable masks will be made available as needed.”
Regal’s previous policy required all employees to wear masks. Guests were encouraged to head to the auditorium as quickly as possible. There was no other mention of masks on the company’s reopening policy. That has since change.
A Regal spokesperson told Deadline: “Our ultimate goal is to create a safe environment for our guests and employees. This is a change to our previous policy on masks based on feedback received from our customers.”
Cinemark, another major national movie theater chain, has yet to update its policy.
Locally, Megaplex Theatres does not require masks for guests. The chain has not returned Deseret News’ request for comment.
The decision to require masks comes after AMC Theatres announced Thursday that it did not want to require guests to wear masks, fearing the political controversy surrounding masks, as I wrote about for the Deseret News.
AMC Theatres changed its policy on Friday morning.
“This announcement prompted an intense and immediate outcry from our customers, and it is clear from this response that we did not go far enough on the usage of masks. At AMC Theatres, we think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests. Accordingly, and with the full support of our scientific advisers, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy. As we reopen theaters, we now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theaters. The speed with which AMC moved to revise our mask policies is a reflection of our commitment to the safety and health of our guests.”