Cineplex has begun opening theatres in Atlantic Canada but there is still no word on when movies will return to the big screens in Charlottetown and Summerside.
The theatre chain sent out a number of press releases on Tuesday with news that selected theatres in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador would be opening this week.
Cineplex says it is taking a phased approach to reopening and anticipates the majority of its theatres will reopen throughout the month.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the theatre in St. John’s reopens on Friday. Two other theatres in the province are expected to open later this month.
In Nova Scotia, Cineplex is reopening its theatres in Halifax and at Dartmouth Crossing on Friday. Ten other theatres in the province will reopen later this month.
In New Brunswick, locations in Dieppe, Fredericton and Saint John are reopening on Friday, with another two locations pushed to later this month.
“We still don’t have any news about P.E.I. theatres reopening,’’ Katie Rankin, a communications associate with Cineplex, told The Guardian on Thursday.
Rankin added that all theatres will reopen with enhanced safety and cleaning measures, with focus on high-contact surfaces, restrooms and seats, as well as updated procedures to allow for physical distancing, inside and outside the auditoriums.
These measures will include reserved seating, with some seating blocked off to ensure safe distancing. That means capacity will be reduced.
Payment will only be accepted by debit or credit card, with the exception of gift card purchases.
Concession stands will be offering a limited menu to ensure people aren’t standing and waiting too long for food.
Employees will be provided with personal protective equipment they need and hand sanitizer will be readily available for guests and employees throughout the buildings.
