NEW YORK (AP) – AMC Theaters, the largest movie chain in North America, will limit attendance at all screenings to 50 people to adhere to the CDC’s latest social distancing guidelines.
Cinemas in New York City and Los Angeles on Sunday were order closed by the city’s respective mayors. Many art house theaters nationwide have also shuttered.
But the largest chains in North America – AMC, Regal Cinemas, Cinemark – have tried to keep their doors open. Over the weekend, the chains began to limit theater capacity to 50%. They have pledged to thoroughly clean theaters in between showings.
AMC said in any theaters smaller than 100 seats, it wouldn’t fill them more than half. Regal and Cinemark didn’t immediately respond to messages Monday.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.