The cinema chains AMC, Cinemark and Regal Cinemas are removing mask mandates

The three major US cinema chains no longer require masks for people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus prior to the summer blockbuster season.

AMC Entertainment, Cinemark and Regal Cinemas said on their websites that moviegoers who are not fully vaccinated will be encouraged to continue wearing masks and that other social distancing measures and cleaning protocols will remain in place.

“According to CDC guidelines, no masks are required for fully vaccinated guests,” AMC said on its website, referring to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“If you are not fully vaccinated, we ask that you continue to wear a mask throughout the theater unless you are actively enjoying food or drinks.”

Similar updates to the mask guidelines have been made on the Regal and Cinemark websites.

Darren Ford (left) reacts to the new mask policy when he presents his vaccination card at the Liberty Theater in Camas, Washington on May 14

AJ Gurerra disinfects rows of seats after a movie shown at the Kiggins Theater in Vancouver, Washington, on May 14, 2021. Governor Jay Inslee announced Thursday that the statewide mask mandate would no longer apply to fully vaccinated adults

People are walking near the Chicago Theater in Chicago’s famous Loop on May 18 after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased their guidelines for wearing masks

People wearing masks stand under the IFC Center Marquee that reads “We’re back!” with a view of the Empire State Building in the background on March 15 in New York City

Regal’s website states, “Vaccinated people will no longer have to wear masks or social distancing. The cinema industry will continue to meet or exceed state and local public health guidelines.”

Regal noted that masks, which local law requires that masks be worn, still “can only be removed while eating and drinking in an auditorium.”

“Employees monitor auditoriums during each performance as a standard practice,” the company said.

Cinemark’s mask policy states that face masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests. Masks are highly recommended for all other guests as per CDC guidelines. Masks can be removed while eating and drinking in the auditorium. ‘

All three chains said they followed state and local mask wearing regulations, which may differ from CDC guidelines.

The changes for movie theaters come two weeks after the CDC declared that fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks.

In the US, theatrical releases have spiked after lengthy closings related to pandemics and the lack of new movie releases.

Film studios and theater chains last week launched a “Big Screen is back” campaign previewing a summer of blockbusters, including the new Fast & Furious film and the superhero film Black Widow.

Hollywood studios are closely watching the receipts for two major films due to be released this weekend: Cruella – a prequel story about the villain in 101 Dalmatians – and the thriller A Quiet Place Part II.

The wait for A Quiet Place Part II was as long as the pandemic.

Signs informing about masks and social distancing will be pictured through concessions at the Landmark Westwood Theater in Los Angeles on May 14, 2021

Release was imminent in March last year when COVID-19 closed US cinemas. A premiere took place in New York on March 8, 2020. The enthusiasm was great. The opening weekend box office was expected to exceed $ 50 million.

But one delay followed another as Paramount Pictures and ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ waited for the chance to return to the big screen. While many other films were sold to streaming services, getting involved in theater was imperative for John Krasinski.

His film, which opened in theaters on Friday, is based not only on a science fiction spectacle, but also on haunting and terrifying sound design.

‘For me it was non-negotiable. We designed this film specifically for theaters, ”Krasinski said in a recent Zoom interview from his Brooklyn home during a break from filming the Amazon series Jack Ryan.

“I said I really wanted to wait for theater and they supported it from the start. All the more, I give them so much recognition for being with me so early. ‘

Kicking off Memorial Day weekend in Hollywood’s belated summer season, this will be a high-profile stress test for the industry’s theatrical future. It’s a high pressure position where Krasinski meets a mixture of pride and fear.

“It’s definitely exciting and nerve-wracking and doing all of those things at the same time,” he says. “But that is exactly what our film is.”