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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 17 March 2020

AMC Theaters to limit attendance to 50 people per showing

NEW YORK (AP) — AMC day. weekend after Sept. 11,
Theaters, the largest movie For most people, the new 2001.
chain in North America, coronavirus causes only Most of Europe’s cinemas
will limit attendance at all mild or moderate symp- have shuttered in recent
screenings to 50 people to toms, such as fever and days, as have theaters
adhere to the CDC’s latest cough. For some, especial- in China, India, Lebanon
social distancing guide- ly older adults and people and Kuwait. Those closures
lines. with existing health prob- have already slashed inter-
Cinemas in New York City lems, it can cause more se- national grosses. Health of-
and Los Angeles on Sunday vere illness, including pneu- ficials are urging for those
were order closed by the monia. who can stay home to
city’s respective mayors. The vast majority of people do so, to help stymie the
Many art house theaters recover from the new virus. spread of the virus.
nationwide have also shut- According to the World Much of the entertain-
tered. Health Organization, peo- ment world has shut down.
But the largest chains in ple with mild illness recover Broadway theaters, ma- People enter an AMC theater Saturday, March 14, 2020, in Los
Angeles. Californians wanting to escape the new reality of the
North America — AMC, in about two weeks, while jor museums and theme coronavirus at the movies, casino or amusement park are run-
Regal Cinemas, Cinemark those with more severe ill- parks have closed their ning into the six foot rule.
— have tried to keep their ness may take three to six doors. Concerts have been Associated Press
doors open. Over the week- weeks to recover. called off: Elton John was
end, the chains began to Ticket sales plunged to their the latest as Monday he canceled or delayed. Most leases, including Disney’s
limit theater capacity to lowest levels in at least 20 announced dates in North live-action film and TV pro- “Mulan” and the James
50%. They have pledged to years at the weekend box America for his “Farewell duction has been put on Bond film “Die Another
thoroughly clean theaters office for U.S. and Cana- Yellow Brick Road” tour hiatus. Day” have been put off.
in between showings. dian theaters. Not since from March 26 to May 2 Hollywood also has post- That means that even if
AMC said in any theaters a quiet September week- would be postponed: later poned most of its upcom- movie theaters remain
smaller than 100 seats, it end in 2000 has weekend dates remain unchanged. ing releases. Next week’s open in the coming weeks,
wouldn’t fill them more box office revenue been Festivals including South by most anticipated movie, they will have little to play.
than half. Regal and Cin- so low, according to data Southwest in Austin, Texas, “A Quiet Place Part 2,” has Theaters could potential-
emark didn’t immediately firm Comscore. More peo- and the Tribeca Film Festi- been removed from the ly play older films to help
respond to messages Mon- ple went to the movies the val in New York have been schedule. Other major re- them get by.q