Staffers At North Haven Theater Let Go After Coronavirus Closure

NORTH HAVEN, CT — Movie theaters in four Connecticut markets — Manchester, Enfield, Milford and North Haven — have "permanently" laid off nearly 3oo staff members amid closures related to the conornavirus.

Cinemark made the announcement in paperwork filed a week ago with the Connecticut Department of Labor in conjunction with the required Worker Adjustment and Retraining

Notification, commony known as a WARN notice.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, including mandatory closure orders in some locations and recommendations of health and safety officials concerning steps to mitigate the spread of COVID19, Cinemark USA, Inc. and its affiliates have made the incredibly difficult decision to close our movie theatre locations in the state of Connecticut. As a result, we will permanently lay off non-exempt and exempt employees at our theatres in the state as of March 26, 2020," the notice indicated.

Cinemark official said the theaters are not union facilities and "no bumping rights exist for these employees."

The layoff will impact a total of 295 employees. Thye breakdown at the individual theaters was not noted in the WARN notice. The employees were paid until March 26, according to the notice.

"We regret the circumstances that made this layoff necessary," Cinemark officials said.