Movie theaters, one of the first industries to shut down due to COVID-19 and one of the most harmed overall, might be coming back sooner than expected. The Trump administration has issued new guidance to states that could see movie theaters reopened as soon as this summer – if not earlier.
Trump’s surprisingly light “Opening Up America Again” requirements would encourage states to open movie theaters as part of a “Phase One” rollout, which also includes sporting venues and restaurant dining. The guidelines require 14 days of a downward trend in COVID-19 and general flulike illnesses, as well as hospitals no longer being in crisis.
Once these 14 days have been met, states can move into Phase One where locations including movie theaters can open under strict social distancing guidelines. This includes keeping individuals up to 6 ft. apart.
Why movie theaters were included as a Phase One business isn’t clear given even with precautions theaters require a surprising closeness with other moviegoers. In fact, China also reopened some movie theaters briefly at the end of March after the pandemic slowed in the country. Theaters were closed again before the week had ended, though part of the reason why, to be fair, is because no one was willing to go to the theater.
Even if the US allows movie theaters to reopen quickly, they have a troublesome future ahead of them.
Source: Variety
