California issued new guidelines Monday that offer the green light for movie theaters to reopen in June, paving the way for people to return to the movies for the Hollywood blockbuster season.
What’s the news:
California released a new industry guidance document that said movie theaters can open beginning on June 12 with strict social distancing guidelines in place for the first two weeks of reopening.
The document said theaters must cut capacity to 25% or no more than 100 people in one auditorium, whichever is less, according to the document.
The California Department of Public Health will review the impact of these limits before changing anything, according to the document.
California recommends the following as well:
- Theaters limit the flow of customers to keep people 6 feet apart.
- Some seats should be blocked off.
- Face masks should be required when exiting and entering a theater, as well as at the concessions stand or food court.
- Peak periods of traffic may need doors left open so people don’t have to use their hands.
- There might need to be bathroom limits, too.
- Parking lots may need to be reworked to limit contact between patrons.
Why this really matters
Yes, it’s good news for movie fans that theaters will be open. But California — specifically the Los Angeles area — represents “the largest moviegoing market in the country,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. Upcoming films “Tenet,” “Mulan” and “Wonder Woman 1984” still have release dates for July. These guidelines suggested that 2020’s summer blockbusters can reopen in one of the biggest markets for movies in the country.