CURIOUS ABOUT GOING TO A MOVIE?

It’s been more than two months since movie theaters started reopening in the U.S ., but there is still a fair amount of consumer confusion about moviegoing in the COVID- 19 era.

Movie studios and theater owners have found themselves in the unique position of having to reeducate audiences on how to see movies now. Warner Bros. even recently revamped the website for “Tenet,” Christopher Nolan’s sci- fi espionage thriller, to help take some of the mystery out of going back to the movies.

So what do you need to know about going to the theater?

1. Where are theaters open?

Indoor movie theaters remain open in most states, except New Mexico, although some are on a county- by- county-basis. New York City, Washington, D. C. and Los Angeles remain closed, however.

2. What theaters are open?

Regal theaters are currently closed, and independent cinemas vary by location, but AMC Theaters ( the nation’s biggest chain) and Ci ne mark are largely upandrunning. Approximately 54% of screens are open in the U.S ., according to the National Association of Theater Owners.

3. Are the renew movies?

Yes, there are movies being released in theaters almost every week, although there have been major fall movies, like “Black Widow,” “No Time To Die “and “West Side Story,” that have moved to 2021.

The biggest release since re opening began in late August is “Tenet,” whichis still playing on around 1,800 screens. Current offerings widely available also include the Li am Ne es on thriller, “Honest Thief,” aPG- 13horror movie with Gill ian Jacobs called “Come Play,” the R- ratedhorror “The Empty Man” andthe comedy “The War With Grand pa” with Robert De Niro. Therearealso “retro” releases, like “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Hocus Pocus” and “Monsters Inc.” Andt his weekend, Fathom Events is bringing “Apollo13” back to theaters for its 25thanniversary.

4. What safety precautions are theaters taking?

During the long shutdown, the National Association of Theater Owners helped spear head the development of a sweeping set of protocols and guidelines called Cinema Safe that more than 400 companies representing more than 3,100 locations have committed to. They include mandatory masks for employees and patrons, social distancing, reduced capacity, mobile ticketing, modified concessions, air filtration, employee training and enhanced cleaning.

5. Can you purchase and consume concessions?

Yes, inmost locations. Customers are generally allowed to remove their masks while consuming concessions.

6. What are viewing options?

You can buy tickets regularly, wear am ask and social distance in the theater( theaters with assigned seating do this automatically and others have taped off seats and rows ). Or, some chains like AM C and Ci ne mark and some theaters are renting screens for private viewing parties forupto 20 people. Pricing varies by movie ( new movies tend to start at$ 149 whereas back catalog classics can be$ 99) and location.

7. Is it safe?

Healthexperts recommend wearing mask sand maintaining social distance when outside and avoid going out when sick. Indoor spaces like movie theaters, restaurants and malls mean prolonged exposure, which could mean greater risk.

“At this point, with cases surging, I’mnot sure that being indoors for two hours with folks is a really good idea,” said Lisa M. Lee, a public health expert at Virginia Tech.

In general, drive- ins or an outdoor screening “would certainly be a lot safer,” Lee said.