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AMC Changes Reopening Guidelines To Make Masks Mandatory After Backlash
AMC Theaters changed their guidelines for reopening and will now require guests to wear masks. The movie industry has largely been on hold for the last several months in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but that is starting to change. With restrictions lifting across the world and productions restarting, movie theaters are beginning to plan for their reopenings. Major chains like AMC and Regal Cinemas have been shut down since March and have started to announce how and when they will open their doors again ahead of upcoming releases like Mulan and Tenet.
Throughout the shutdown, AMC has been in the news quite a bit, whether because they announced a refusal to play Universal movies or amid concerns that the company might go bankrupt. But, AMC announced yesterday that they will be open for business starting on July 15. The rollout of this news came with guidelines that will be implemented at AMC's 600 locations. These policies included social distancing, increased sanitation, and the requirement for employees to wear masks. However, AMC said that guests would not need to wear masks, which prompted a significant backlash online.
AMC has now announced that they are changing course in regard to their mask policy and will require all guests to wear them. AMC issued a lengthy statement about the change, which says, "As we reopen theatres, we now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theatres." How long the policy will be enforced is undetermined at this time. Guests will be allowed to bring their own mask to wear or they can purchase one at the box office for $1. The company's statement concluded by saying, "Those who are unwilling to wear a mask will not be admitted or allowed to stay."
The reversal by AMC on their mask policy makes them the biggest theater chain to mandate masks from their guests. This would be the case at any point since AMC is the largest chain in the world, but so far, their biggest competitors like Regal and Cinemark will not require masks to be worn by guests. Now that AMC has made the switch, Regal and others could follow in their footsteps in the near future.
AMC's quick decision to change their guidelines and require masks is the right move, but there are still logistical questions about how this will be enforced. Concessions will still be sold at AMC theaters, and guests would have to remove their masks to eat popcorn or candy or take a drink. It is also unclear how AMC plans to monitor the continued use of masks once guests are inside theaters. Will ushers be tasked with patroling theaters to kick out guests that take their mask off while the movie is playing? Hopefully, more answers on AMC's new guidelines will be revealed as their July reopenings near, but at least guests who decide to go the movies at that point can feel safer knowing masks will be required by everyone.
