Tuesday, February 23, 2021

NYC movie theaters to reopen at 25% capacity on March 5

New York City movie theaters are the latest businesses that Gov. Cuomo is allowing to reopen with limited capacity.

Cuomo announced yesterday that theaters can reopen — capped at 25 percent — starting on March 5.

Stipulations for reopening include:
  • Venues are restricted to 25 percent capacity, with no more than 50 people per screen at a time.
  • Masks will be required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking.
  • Assigned seating will be required in all theaters.
  • Social distancing between parties will be required at all times.
  • Additional staffing will be required to control occupancy, traffic and seating to ensure compliance.
  • Enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards must be met by theaters.
  • This action brings New York City movie theaters in line with movie theaters throughout the rest of the state.
NYC theaters have been shuttered since last March. Local independent venues such as the Anthology Film Archives on Second Avenue and Metrograph on Ludlow Street have been offering an array of online screenings and virtual events. 

As of this writing, local theaters had not made public their reopening plans.

Cuomo also said yesterday that pool halls can reopen on March 5 at 35-percent capacity. Locally, Amsterdam Billiards on Fourth Avenue at 11th Street was back in service on Jan. 20 thanks to a lawsuit against the state.

Photo of the AMC Village 7 on Third Avenue and 11th Street from the fall. 

6 comments:

  1. Remember: Leave your phone at home people!!

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  2. Question -- is the rule really, "Masks will be required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking." or do they mean "Masks will be required at all times EXCEPT WHEN EATING AND DRINKING WHILE SEATED."? Very different with the actual rule seemingly at odds with best practices.

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    Replies
    1. I think you're supposed to watch the movie while wearing your mask on, is that right?

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  3. I’ve been craving theatre time too but honestly GL. Also comedy clubs and other type venues were vying for reopening. I hope they get to but take note: being crammed in a comedy club because “its NYC” wasn’t ever fun and made me and plenty of others rarely want to go to an actual club again. Please do not bring back the crammed experience...

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  4. Nope... not worth it. Plus woukd rather wait for independent film venues to come back.
    Personally think if the do it they should stop selling food, but guess thats how they make their money. Basically if you buy a soda yo are just gonna sit their maskless the whole movie. Not like they can check

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  5. I have no doubt there will be droves of students swarming back into the move theaters, but we really need people to get vaccinated to get back to normal. The good news is that thanks to masks, their constant conversations while the movie is playing will be more muffled,

    ReplyDelete

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