As theaters across the world prepare to reopen their doors, California is getting a head start this week. It has been announced that California movie theaters can reopen as early as June 12 with strict social distancing measures in place.
For at least the first two weeks, strict measures have been put in place which include a limited capacity to 25 percent or no more than 100 people per auditorium. If the relaunch in California goes well, this rule is expected to relax after two weeks which allows theater chains to prepare for the release of Tenet and Mulan at the end of July.
Along with reducing capacity to 25 percent, California is recommending other safety measures including limiting the flow of cinephiles into a theater so as to ensure that patrons are six feet apart and practicing social distancing, blocking off seats, requiring face masks when entering and exiting the theater, and at the concession stand keep open doors at peak periods of traffic, consider limiting the number of customers using the bathroom at one time and reconfiguring parking lots.
After California, the next major area that studios will be looking at re-opening is New York City.
