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.