Movie Theaters are Reopening, But is it Worth the Risk?

Some locations of AMC Theaters have reopened on Thursday after five months of being in lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But some people question the safety of reopening movie theaters even if AMC assured that they would be implementing social distancing between seats, require their customers to wear face masks and upgrade their theaters' air filters.

Cinemas Can Reopen in Mexico City After Four Months — MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - AUGUST 12: People attend a screening in the Cineteca Nacional with social distancing measures during the reopening day of cinemas en the city on August 12, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. Despite the fact that the Government of the City has allowed cinemas to reopen, many of them will remain closed following a gradual reopening at a 30% of their full capacity. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) Getty Images

AMC Reopens with 1920 Throwback Price

Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security senior scholar and infectious disease expert Dr. Amesh Adalja said that movie theaters might reopen if all health safeguards are in place.

These precautions should include social distancing to prevent people from seating near each other. Theaters must make sure a six feet distance between people and make hand-washing areas available. Adalja said that the key to reopening the cinemas is to allow room for social distancing and modify how the concession stands are arranged.

As AMC celebrates its 100th anniversary, it is reopening with its ticket price from 1920 when it first opened. Across their 100 locations, AMC will offer a cost of $0.15 per movie ticket.

Moreover, they are opening under their "Safe and Clean" plan guidelines in which the auditoriums will only operate at 40 percent capacity or less. Face masks are still required inside, but people are allowed to remove them while eating or drinking, the AMC press release said.

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Is it safe?

According to UC Davis Medical Center's assistant clinical professor and infectious disease specialist Dr. Naomi Hauser, allowing people to remove their masks while enjoying their food and drinks poses risks of transmission.

"You don't know what surfaces people have touched or their travel history. There are just too many variables," Hauser said. She added that if she ever came in contact with anyone from a movie theater, she would choose to quarantine herself for two weeks.

Additionally, airborne transmission of the virus is also a concern as the World Health Organization acknowledged last month that there is emerging evidence that COVID-19 can be spread through the air.

More so, even though AMC promised that it would disinfect its theaters between showtimes, there is still the question of how long does SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could last on surfaces like seat covers in movie theaters or other frequently touched areas.

The National Institutes of Health said that their study suggests that COVID-19 could be detected on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for three days and is likely to transmit it to humans. Meanwhile, the CDC recommends wearing face masks when in contact with other people at less than six feet or indoor.

But it all boils down to how an individual would assess the risk of going out to watch movies in the theaters. Calculating the risks could vary geographically based on where someone lives and the transmission level in their area.

Since many production companies have already opted to use streaming companies, viewers would now choose to watch movies at the comfort of their homes rather than on movie theaters.