The Bay Area's largest movie theater chain will reopen its doors today.
After months spent closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, AMC will reopen eight area theaters, including two in San Francisco. Cinemark, the third-largest chain, will also open its San Francisco theater Friday in addition to theaters in Santa Clara county.
Alameda County theaters opened earlier this week. Concessions will remain closed.
So, how will seeing a movie work during a pandemic?
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According to Cinemark, it's working pretty well so far. In a survey of recent guests across the country, 97% expressed high satisfaction with health and safety precautions taken by the chain that, according to a company earnings call in early August, required an initial investment of $10 million to $12 million, plus an additional $4 million to $5 million in monthly operating costs going forward.
Employees will disinfect theaters every morning, as well as between screenings, by using pressured sprayers with chemicals that the EPA has deemed effective in eliminating COVID-19. Although Cinemark did not offer specifics with regards to seating capacity, policies will follow local guidelines, which currently limit theaters to 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer. It has also implemented a ticketing system that blocks out seats surrounding parties to ensure social distancing. Staggered showtimes will help decrease traffic at entrances and exits.
Face masks will be mandatory when guests are in the theater, only to be removed while eating or drinking in counties that permit theater concessions. Masks will be available on-site, and guests who refuse to wear them will be offered a refund, but Cinemark did not reply to a question of how they will enforce this rule, or what guests should do if they notice others not following the mask policy.
Plexiglass barriers at the concessions stands, cashless payment systems and a glove requirement for employees will decrease the risk when buying snacks (which will be sold at greatly reduced "welcome back" prices at participating theaters).
Employees will receive temperature checks prior to every shift, but Cinemark would not comment on its employee testing policies. The infectious disease experts they consulted did not recommend that guests submit to temperature checks.
For those who are more risk averse but still desperate to return to a moviegoing experience, Cinemark will offer private watch parties for up to 19 guests, with pricing starting at $99 (the Century Regency in San Rafael will be open exclusively for private parties).
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Theaters have also upgraded ventilation systems to increase outside airflow into the theaters. These systems will feature HEPA filters that trap at least 99.97% of microscopic particles.
All "public and high-touch spaces" (i.e. bathrooms) will be sanitized every 30 minutes, and seat wipes and hand sanitizer will be available on-site.
The rollout to the greater Bay Area follows the opening of Cinemark theaters in Napa on Sept. 11.
Other cinematic options throughout the Bay Area include drive-in destinations like the West Wind theater chain, Fort Mason Flix and the forthcoming Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema festival. Although Alamo Drafthouse has reopened theaters in much of the rest of the company, its Mission location still only offers on-demand films. The Roxie is also screening new releases and hosting special events through its virtual cinema. And the Balboa Theater has built a "popcorn parklet" where it is selling beers and snacks and screening socially distanced films on the weekends.
This story has been updated with information about the opening of movie theaters in San Francisco, Santa Clara and Alameda counties.
