Movie theaters have been closed since the middle of March, and they are now wondering when they’ll be getting guidance from the state.
Capital Region officials and theater owners met this morning. Theatre owners are asking to reopen with limited capacity, social distancing measures, and contactless ticketing stands.
Malls are open. Gyms are opening. But what about movie theaters?
— Jaclyn Cangro (@JaclynCangro) August 19, 2020
The National Association of Theater Owners of New York State is calling on NY to allow them to reopen.
They say they can operate at half capacity and stagger show times. pic.twitter.com/LbNCjXHwNU
The National Association of Theater Owners says about 10,000 New Yorkers have been laid off from full- and part-time jobs. It’s also impacting small businesses looking to stay afloat.
“All of our theater managers except the ones, the few theaters operating right now, have all been furloughed,” said Joe Masher, the COO of Bow Tie Cinemas. “Those people are relying on unemployment, and the unemployment incentive has run out now. They are clamoring to get back to work.”
Movie theaters have reopened in 42 other states.