AMC Theatres Plan Summer Reopening In Ashburn; Masks Required

ASHBURN, VA — Just last week, AMC Theatres said it had "substantial doubt" that the company could keep operating if pandemic-related closures continued. However, the company announced Tuesday it expects to reopen almost all of its locations worldwide by mid-July.

When that happens, be prepared to wear a mask at the AMC Loudoun Station 11 in Ashburn.

AMC said in its first-quarter earnings report that theaters will open up as soon as it is safe and allowed under health and social distancing guidelines.

Friday, after harsh criticism on social media, the chain — the world’s largest — said guests nationwide will be required to wear masks. Previously, the AMC said masks would be required only in those areas of the country where they’re mandatory under social distancing guidelines.

AMC will welcome guests back as soon as it is safe and allowed under health and social distancing guidelines, the company said in its first-quarter earnings report Tuesday.

It remains unclear, though, when movie theaters will be allowed to reopen in Northern Virginia. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam released his guidelines for phase three this week but did not say when the new phase would take effect in the state.

Under the guidelines, theaters could open as part of phase three as long as they do not exceed 50 percent of capacity, maintain 10 feet of physical distance between all patrons who are not members of the same household, and install visible markers for queue lines that separate people by six feet of physical distance.

In the earnings call, the theater company added that it plans to be "fully open globally in July," although it did not provide specific dates.

The reopenings are set to align with the releases of Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" and Disney's "Mulan" in July.

"We are confident we are taking the necessary steps on a broad array of fronts to ensure AMC's future success as we navigate these turbulent and uncertain times," AMC CEO Adam Aron said in a statement.

The announcement comes despite AMC painting a grim picture in its most recent earnings statement, reporting a $2.2 billion loss as a result of coronavirus closures.

The moviegoing experience will look vastly different when theaters reopen.

AMC anticipates enacting a number of safety measures for moviegoers, including personal protection equipment, cleaning protocols, limited theater capacity and blocked seating.

Even when theaters are allowed to reopen, AMC predicts it will still have problems if entertainment companies decide to delay the release of new films.

AMC has 1,000 locations across the globe, with more than 11,000 screens, according to its website.

Here is information about the Ashburn AMC location:

• AMC Loudoun Station 11, 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn