(Cleveland) - Now that the state of Ohio has allowed movie theaters to reopen, get ready for a slightly different experience in the post-pandemic days.
Cleveland Cinemas, operator of the Apollo Theatre in Oberlin, Tower City Cinemas downtown, the Capitol Theatre in the Detroit-Shoreway area, Chagrin Cinemas in Chagrin Falls, and the Cedar Lee in Cleveland Heights, will have these protocols:
- Patrons will be encouraged to wear face coverings while in the building common areas such as the lobby and restrooms.
- Social distancing markers in lobby to ensure proper space between patrons in lines.
- Touchless purchase options at the box office and concession stand.
- Patrons will be encouraged to purchase tickets online at clevelandcinemas.com or fandango.com in advance to reduce points of contact.
- Auditorium seating capacity will be reduced to 50% and seats and rows will be closed to ensure social distancing during the films.
- Showtimes will be spaced further apart to reduce crowds in lobby as well as allow for more time for cleaning and disinfecting the auditoriums between shows.
- Customer entrance and exit traffic flow will be directed to minimize crowds.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the building.
- Staff members will have health assessments taken before clocking in for shifts.
- Staff members will be required to wear face coverings while working.
- Staff members will be required to wear gloves as well as frequently wash their hands.
- There will be a dedicated sanitation staff person for each shift to ensure that frequent touch points and surfaces are disinfected.
- Plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers.
Since Hollywood shut down production, the theaters will have a combination of classic movies, independent films, and ones that were released just before the state ordered theaters to be shut down.
The Apollo and Tower City Cinemas will open June 19, the Capitol and the Chagrin Cinemas on June 24, and the Cedar Lee on July 1.
(Photo courtesy Cleveland Cinemas)
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