Movie theaters are reopening: What will happen?
Movie theaters are just starting to open back up after Covid-19 shut them down months ago, people may be wondering, what a return to theaters will look like. Such as, how are they adjusting and what are the next steps in this process? In Covington the two local movie theaters are modifying to the new circumstances.
Movie Tavern Northshore reopened Aug. 21st, as well as Regal Covington Stadium 14 around when phase two came into place. These are the two main movie theaters on the Northshore. Both businesses have constructed new safety rules and regulations due to Covid-19.
Some brave movie goers have experienced the new policies of attending the movies. Aaron and Nicole Stanley, went out for a date night this past weekend at Movie Tavern Northshore. Nicole said, “It was fun to get back to somewhat of a normal date night, but there were not enough intriguing movies playing.” The reason for this is because of the sales being so low and a majority of people being nervous to go out, movie companies do not want to launch their new work quite yet. It is understandable and makes sense. It is possible that by Thanksgiving/Christmas, things will be different. There are ten movies playing currently and two are old classics since they have nothing else to show in those spots. Aaron noted, “It was pretty empty for a weekend night out…the masks were irritating but no one questioned you when you had it off, pretty laid back.”
According to Michael, an employee at Movie Tavern, regarding the new regulations, Michael concluded, “Two seats are together and two seats are blocked out so on and so forth for social distancing reasons. As for the masks, they must be worn at all times unless you are eating or drinking.” The rule regarding being masked unless a person is eating or drinking is interesting and potentially problematic since almost everyone in a movie theater is doing so. However the spacing could be a positive of the new moviegoing experience, since not having to sit next to a stranger in a packed theater would be a welcome change for most people. Blank also reported, “We have not been very busy at all, just on our special night…$5 Tuesdays.”
Kelly, an employee at Regal Covington Stadium 14 said, “ Only seven movies are currently playing, which is unusual as it is a decently big theatre that has 20 plus screens.” The young woman was eager to get back to normal and return to her usual busy work week. Many employees of any type of good/service industry are feeling the same urgency to restore their usual engaging work shifts.
Covid-19 has affected the Movie theaters all throughout early spring and summer, people are getting bored in quarantine, we are now in phase three, which has more leniency and more businesses are reopening and going on about normal. The company’s employees are ready to get back to work, as well as the customers are excited to get back out and have fun again.
Life may never be the same after this pandemic but people have acclimated and adapted very well so far and will continue to do so in the future. With more businesses opening back up people can resume a semi traditional lifestyle and feel safe while doing so, until there is a vaccine.
The New York Times relayed, “AstraZeneca, which recently began Phase three of trials of the vaccine in the United States, is now saying it could supply the first doses of the vaccine in the United States by the end of 2020.”
As for movie theaters reopening, everything is running smoothly and customers are more than welcome to rejoin the movie festivities on the Northshore! Here are their websites if you would like to see what’s new!