Texas is just one of a handful of states looking to lift stay-at-home restrictions over the next few days. That means non-essential business can begin reopening their doors, and that includes cinemas. With these plans increasing, cinemas have begun to try and figure out what means for them, because the landscape has definitely changed. For Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse, it means keeping all of their locations closed for the time being.
An Alamo spokesperson told THR that there are no current plans to reopen any of their 40-plus locations this weekend, despite state governments granting them the ability to do so…
“Opening safely is a very complex project that involves countless new procedures and equipment, all of which require extensive training. This is something we cannot and will not do casually or quickly. We will not be opening this weekend. But know this, when we do open, we will be providing the safest possible experience for both our staff and our guests and we can’t wait to see you all again!”
Alamo Drafthouse is hardly the first theater chain saying they won’t be ready at the drop of a hat. The National Association of Theatre Owners recently stated most cinemas are unprepared to reopen. AMC, the biggest such chain in the country, have also stated they won’t reopen until there are new movies available. At the time, most studios have moved their 2020 content until much later in the year or into 2021.
It’s possible Alamo holds out until the release of Christopher Nolan’s Tenet on July 17th. That movie seems to be the marker for the summer. As long as Warner Bros. keeps it in place, we may see every theater chain do what needs to be done to reopen by that time.
