California Movie Theaters Can Start Reopening Friday

CALIFORNIA — Movie theaters across most of the Golden State could reopen as soon as Friday.

Theaters must limit attendance to 25 percent of its capacity or a maximum of 100 people — whichever is lower — the California Department of Public Health said in an industry guidance publication Monday. The state's guidance applies to other entertainment venues that can provide physical distance between patrons, including bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages and arcades.

Fifty-one of California's 58 counties have been granted a Stage 2 variance, meaning they can proceed with allowing certain services to resume, so long as certain criteria related to controlling COVID-19 cases are met. There are four tiers in California's plan to restart public life.

Bay Area counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara have not yet filed for a Stage 2 variance, and neither has Imperial County.

The decision for a county to reopen its theaters must be made with health officer approval and after considering the number of positive cases, the rate of positive tests and the quality of contact tracing, the department clarified.

The state rolled out a list of considerations for movie theaters as they begin reopening, including creating reservation systems that prevent large groups of people entering a theater at one time, implementing one-way entrances and exits to theaters, screen guests for COVID-19 symptoms outside of the venue and asking guests to frequently use hand sanitizer.

Theaters are also urged to space patrons at least six feet apart, require face masks except for when eating or drinking, use disposable or washable seat covers, deactivate public drinking fountains and more.

Venues with private rooms for events should remain closed until such gatherings are permitted, the state said.

Though this is good news for movie theaters, the coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on business and not all theaters are ready to reopen immediately.

A Cinepolis spokesperson said the company is working to contact local governments to verify that theaters are cleared to reopen and hopes to reopen all locations by July 17.

AMC Theatres, however, said this month that it doubts the company will remain in business. There are 54 AMC Theatres locations in California.

View the family entertainment centers industry guidance here:

Patch staffer Payton Potter contributed to this report.