Illinois movie theaters start reopening after five months of COVID-19 closures
The Edge 5 theater in Belleville was back in business on Friday, making it the first metro-east movie theater to reopen since the COVID-19 pandemic forced big screens to go dark across the country five months ago.
Moviegoers are required to wear masks, unless they’re eating popcorn or drinking soda, and a “buffering” reservation system puts friends and family together but leaves seats empty around them.
“I’m very excited,” said Mary Dahm-Schell, co-owner of The Edge, which also has go karts, bumper cars, laser tag, arcades, bowling and virtual-reality games. “I’m cautiously optimistic. I am really hoping that this goes well.”
AMC Edwardsville 12 plans to open Thursday, according to the chain’s website. That will be followed by the Lincoln Theatre in Belleville, Marcus O’Fallon Cinema and RMC Stadium Cinemas Waterloo next Friday and AMC Classic Eastgate 6 on Sept. 3. Marcus St. Clair Cinema in Fairview Heights, Granite City Cinema, the Lory Theater in Highland and The Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville haven’t announced opening dates.
Theaters must limit audiences to 50 people per auditorium or 50% of normal capacity, whichever is less, under Phase 4 restrictions in the Restore Illinois plan to restart the economy after the state’s coronavirus shutdown.
Dahm-Schell said many people see theaters as dangerous places during a pandemic, but she thinks they may be safer than bars or restaurants, where experiences are more social and interactive.
“In a theater, everyone’s facing the same way, and hopefully, they’re not talking because they’re watching a movie,” she said.
‘Unhinged’ one of first releases
Marcus Theatres operates 91 movie theaters, mostly in the Midwest. The company reopened 30 on Friday, said spokeswoman Mari Randa. Another 35 will reopen next Friday for a total of 68 when counting three theaters that offered outdoor movies this summer.
This weekend, Marcus moviegoers can see the road-rage thriller “Unhinged” starring Russell Crowe, the comedy drama “Words on Bathroom Walls” or the science-fiction blockbuster “Inception,” which was re-released for its 10th anniversary.
Next weekend, choices include “The New Mutants,” a Disney horror film in the superhero genre, and the comedy drama “The Personal History of David Copperfield.”
“We always say check for listings to be sure (what’s showing),” Randa said. “But there are only a handful of new movies, and of course, we’re going to do our best to bring some classics to the big screen.”
The Edge also has “Unhinged” and “Inception” this weekend, as well as “Trolls World Tour,” a computer-animated jukebox musical comedy, which had a limited theater release and digital release in April.
Next Friday, the Lincoln will reopen with “The New Mutants.” Most theaters expect to celebrate Labor Day Weekend with “Tenet,” a science-fiction spy film written and directed by Christopher Nolan.
Fine-tuning COVID-19 procedures
The Lincoln Theatre could have reopened this weekend, but owners Sandy and Dave Schoenborn decided to wait until next Friday after hearing last week that the state of Illinois had tightened COVID-19 restrictions in Region 4, which includes seven counties, due to its reaching a threshold for positive test results.
“We want to make sure our customers are comfortable and we are comfortable with our procedures,” Dave Schoenborn said Friday.
The Lincoln will be limited to 50 moviegoers in each of its three auditoriums, which normally hold 300, 150 and 150 people. The Edge also is limited to 50 in its three large auditoriums, which normally hold 210, 136 and 145. Its two smaller auditoriums with recliners and tray tables are limited to 26 and 28, half their normal capacities.
Like The Edge, the Lincoln has a computerized reservation system that puts friends and family together but leaves seats empty around them. The theater has installed plexiglass barriers at the concession stand.
Schoenborn noted that the National Association of Theatre Owners, based in Washington, D.C., has adopted a set of safety protocols called “Cinema Safe” to help theater employees and customers protect their health.
“In general, our trade organization thinks if you’re seated in the theater, with or without a mask, because of how you’re spread out, the largeness of the room and the airflow (with everyone facing one direction), that it’s a safe environment,” he said.
National chains deal with local rules
Capacity limits for theaters vary among states, regions, counties and cities, but AMC, Marcus Theatres and other national chains are requiring masks and social distancing.
“We’re following CDC and local guidelines and what is being recommended by professionals, which is wear a mask,” Randa said. “So if you’re not eating or drinking, the expectation is that you are wearing a mask.”
Marcus theaters have instituted a “checkerboard” seating pattern with two seats occupied, two seats empty, two seats occupied, two seats empty in each row so that no one has a stranger sitting beside or in front of him or her.
AMC has already reopened some theaters and plans to reopen more next Friday and on Sept. 3, according to its website. A note under the names of many theaters, particularly those in California and other states where the coronavirus is spreading at high rates, read “Will reopen when local guidelines allow.”
Theater websites also list safety precautions being taken, such as simplified menus, bans on food and drink refills, cashless transactions, hand-sanitizing stations, enhanced cleaning and daily health screenings for employees.
The AMC website gets detailed when explaining its mask policy.
“Your mask must cover your nose and mouth and fit snugly around your face and chin,” it states. “Neck gaiters, open-chin bandanas and masks with vents or exhalation valves are not acceptable at this time, based on World Health Organization guidelines. If needed, masks are available to purchase for just $1.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Aug. 23 to include information on RMC Stadium Cinemas Waterloo and the Lory Theater in Highland.
This story was originally published August 22, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
