Home » City Guide »

Movie Theaters Can Reopen in California on June 12 (But Not in Bay Area)

Movie theaters throughout the state can reopen Friday at 25% capacity, but not yet in the Bay Area
By - posted 6/11/2020 No Comment

Thanks to the Hollywood Reporter for letting us know that California is giving counties the power to allow movie theaters to reopen on June 12 with restrictions.

What about the Bay Area? Please note this reopening only applies to counties that have met state criteria so this currently excludes most of the Bay Area. So while indoor theaters across the Bay are still closed, you can still visit drive-in theaters in San Jose and Concord, a pop-up summer drive-in movie theater in Pleasanton along with a Novato “Renegade” Drive in movie experience.

California Movie Theaters that have met the state’s criteria for managing coronavirus can reopen on Friday, June 12. According to state guidelines that were released last June 8, theaters are recommended to limit attendance to 25 percent of theater capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower.

Additional Considerations for Indoor Movie Theaters:

  • Implement a reservation system to limit the number of attendees entering the theater at a time whenever possible. Designate arrival times as part of reservations, if possible, so that customers arrive at and enter the theater in staggered groups. 
  • Establish directional entry and exit into theaters where possible. 
  • Reconfigure, close, or otherwise remove seats from use to ensure physical distancing of at least six feet between attendees. Members of the same household may be seated together but should maintain at least six feet of distance from other households. 
  • Face coverings should be worn by patrons when not eating or drinking. At a minimum, face coverings should be worn when entering and exiting theaters, when obtaining refreshments at the concession stand, and whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained. Postings for patrons should include this information. 
  • Dedicate staff to help people maintain distances before and after screenings. This could include ushering to seats prior to the start of a show and dismissing customers in an orderly fashion to reduce the crossflow of traffic or crowding in exit rows.
  • Consider using disposable or washable seat covers in theaters, particularly on porous surfaces that are difficult to properly clean. Discard and replace seat covers between each use. 
  • Prop or hold doors open during peak periods when attendees are entering and exiting facilities, if possible, and in accordance with security and safety protocols. 
  • Turn off public drinking water fountains and place signs informing attendees they are inoperable. 12 
  • Consider limiting the number of people that use the restroom at one time to allow for physical distancing. 
  • Reconfigure parking lots to limit congregation points and ensure proper separation (e.g., closing every other space).
  • If offering drive-in movies, ensure that vehicles have at least six feet of distance between them. Operators of these establishments should follow additional applicable guidance for retailers of Drive-In Movie Theaters. 

A full list of guidelines can be found at covid19.ca.gov.