Regal will reopen its theaters starting Friday, July 10 after a nearly four month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There will be new safety and health procedures for employees and moviegoers, based on guidelines provided from the CDC and other public health organizations.
There are a number of guidelines Regal has announced to practice social distancing and health safety precautions.
• New contactless payment options and innovative sanitizing methods will be implemented.
• Auditorium capacities will be reduced to 50 percent where required by state or county mandate. Regal’s reservation system will maintain two empty seats between groups (1 seat at recliner locations) and theaters with non-reserved seats will request two seats between groups.
• Group sizes will only be limited where required by a state or county mandate.
• Tickets will continue to be available for advance purchase and concession items will also be available for purchase from the Regal app.
• Employees will sanitize every auditorium and seat after each movie using new electrostatic “fogger” equipment. It’s a deep sanitization that is effective in disinfecting all materials with a non-toxic formula that is fast drying.
• Each theatre will sanitize high-contact points on an increased schedule and use floor markers throughout the building to assist with social distancing.
• Wall mounted sanitizer dispensers will be available on either side of the main entrance.
• Arcade games and vending machines will remain closed. Water fountains will not be available for use.
Regal employees will undergo daily health screenings including temperature checks where mandated, wash hands at minimum every 30 to 60 minutes, dependent on job role. Where required by local governance, all employees and guests will wear masks.
Greeters will be located in the lobby to assist guests with new procedural changes. Guests will be encouraged to proceed to their auditorium as soon as possible, and exit in a timely manner at the conclusion of their movie
Concession stands will also have noticeable changes.
• Every other register will be closed.
• A reduced menu will be offered and self-service condiment stands will be closed.
• Refills on large drinks and popcorn will be suspended.
Last week, AMC said it’s planning to reopen all 1,000 theaters globally next month.