SAFELY OPEN
Amid pandemic, Malta Drive-In Theatre screening movies
MALTA, N.Y. » At a time when many social gatherings and activities are not allowed, Malta Drive-In Theatre is open for safely distanced movie- going amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though traditional movie theaters remained closed across New York state, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that certain low-risk businesses including drive-in movie theaters could reopen statewide in midMay.
For the past few weeks, the locally owned and operated Malta Drive-In Theatre has been screening movies for locals to come enjoy from their vehicles.
Though drive-ins got the okay to open on May 15, the rules and expectations weren’t exactly clear, explained co- owner Ed Caro, who owns the business along with his brother Tom Caro.
So, they waited another week.
“We wanted to really have all the safety measures in place, to the best of our knowledge what they wanted,” Ed said.
After receiving clarification from the public health department, Malta Drive-In Theatre reopened its gates to the public on Friday, May 22, with some new protocols and guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety.
Malta Drive- In Theatre posted new rules of operation prior to its opening weekend. They include capping attendance at 50 percent capacity, restricted entry into the concession building and guests must wear masks outside their vehicles .
Patrons are asked to limit restrooms use. In the facilities, every other sink and stall is blocked from use and frequent sanitation is taking place. All bathroom visitors must wear a mask and wash their hands.
“We must operate under different rules than our usual ways of doing business during this pandemic,” the business posted online along with the rules of operation. “These measures are taken to protect the safety of guests and employees. If we and you do not adhere to these
safety procedures we may be forced to close or the virus may spread further.”
Though lots of people are eager to get out of the house, business has been slower than normal this year during the drive-in’s first few weeks open.
Even while restricted to half capacity, Malta DriveIn Theatre has not sold out any night so far in 2020.
“We’re not really as busy as usual,” Ed said, “but you also need to take into consideration, there are no new movies.”
In the drive-in business, Ed said, there are two important factors: weather and product. And the latter has been lacking as of late
Most currently playing movies have been out for months, since before the majority of theaters closed, and others have meanwhile been released on demand for at- home viewing.
“There really haven’t been big titles that people have to see,” Ed said.
Additionally, Malta Drive- In Theatre lost about a month of its season.
It was expected to begin with the debut of the James Bond film “No Time to Die,” which was anticipated to be a big draw. That movie has been postponed to a new release date of Nov. 25, 2020, when the drive-in will be closed for the winter.
Similar reschedulings are happening with several big movies.
“A lot of these titles are gone for the summer, and they’re not even coming back,” Ed said. “They’ll be either in the fall or next year, really.”
Faced with a lack of fresh product, the Caros have decided to dedicate one of its two screens to play retro films. That will start this weekend with classics “Jaws” from 1975 and “Jurassic Park” from 1993.
On the other screen will be the superhero film “Birds of Prey,” which made its debut in February, and the new release crime thriller “Infamous,” starring Bella Thorne and Jake Manley.
“We’re getting retro and new, so hopefully that will bump attendance up,” Ed said.
In addition to movie screenings, the 71- yearold Malta Drive-In Theatre has recently become a venue for graduations, church services and other events that would typically take place indoors.
The Caro brothers, who have owned Malta DriveIn Theatre since 1988, never envisioned these types of events happening at their place, but they are happy to provide the site.