Most Movie Theaters in Georgia Won’t Reopen Next Week Despite Governor’s Plans

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will allow movie theaters to reopen starting April 27, but exhibition insiders stress that it would be nearly impossible for most major chains to start business back up by next week.

Major chains believe that it re-opening won’t just be like flicking a switch. AMC Theaters, Regal Cinemas, Cinemark and other circuits have furloughed almost all employees, and locations have been entirely shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. It would take more than a week to re-hire staff and then train them in proper safety procedures.

Kemp’s announcement, which is in line with President Donald Trump’s first phase in the process of reopening the country, requires companies to observe social distancing and enhance sanitation. Workers will also have to be screened for illness, the governor said.

But even if workers were able to return swiftly and without the virus, there’s also a question of legal liability. If audiences were to get infected with the coronavirus after going to the movies, there’s a sense of uncertainty over whether the burden would fall on the the theater or the state, for lifting restrictions. Theater owners are still exploring legal issues they could face.

As it stands, theater chains are still trying to determine what their safety procedures will be when they’re allowed to re-open. Some, such as AMC, have signaled they may take patrons temperatures, while others, such as Cinemark, have played down that possibility. They are also working out the best way to ensure that their customers adhere to social distancing dictates, and are outlining how to seat moviegoers to ensure they aren’t coughed on and are six-feet away from other patrons. And that’s even if customers can be convinced it’s safe to return in the first place.

Another major impediment is the lack of fresh content available to show on the big screen. Hollywood studios aren’t releasing movies until Universal’s comedy “The King of Staten Island” on June 19 and Warner Bros.’ sci-fi thriller “Tenet” on July 17. Almost all other movies scheduled to release this summer have been shelved, except for Disney’s live-action “Mulan” on July 24 and Warner Bros.’ comic book adventure “Wonder Woman 1984 on Aug. 14. That means even if exhibitors are able to turn the lights back on in some venues, there’s not a lot of compelling product to offer. They would likely be forced to screen library titles and a few lower-budget indies.

As part of the reopening process, businesses will still have to limit gatherings to fewer than 10 people. If that’s the case, it might not be financially viable for venues to reopen for so few patrons.

A spokesperson for AMC and Regal did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Cinemark, citing comments made by CEO Mark Zoradi on a liquidity call last week, said “Cinemark is currently working toward a mid-summer opening date, contingent upon health and safety regulations, as well as availability of studio content.”

A spokesperson for the National Association of Theatre Owners said that “individual movie theater companies, in line with federal, state, and local guidelines, and in cooperation with health officials will decide for themselves when it is appropriate to reopen.”

Given the circumstances, it’s possible that if any multiplexes were able to reopen by next Monday, it could be limited to independently owned theaters. But it’s unclear if mom-and-pop shops would be willing to take the risk. In other words, not many marquee lights will be turning on in Georgia at the end of April.


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