Los Angeles officials confirm theaters may reopen Monday – deadline

Los Angeles County will officially enter the state’s less restrictive “red” level on Monday, with the state hitting the 2 million dose milestone of Covid-19 vaccine in hard-hit communities and triggering an easing of requirements for them. counties to advance to government. Gavin Newsom economic reopening plan.

LA County officials have said the move from the purple level to the red will be effective at 12:01 a.m. Monday, meaning indoor dining can return and indoor theaters and fitness centers can. reopen, all with limited capacity.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed Thursday that news announced by Newsom a day earlier that theaters can open indoors at 25% capacity “with seats reserved only when each group is sit at least 6 feet apart in all directions between any other group. But the director of public health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, was unsure whether the vaccination milestone would be reached on Friday or over the weekend. Today’s announcement addresses this issue. Los Angeles officials have now confirmed that after 48 hours of preparation, the county will enter the red level on Monday.

Ferrer said on Wednesday the county plans to issue its own operating guidelines for restaurants, cinemas, gyms, outdoor live events and theme park reopens as the county plans to go red. less restrictive of California’s reopening plan. He did it on Thursday.

Disneyland will likely reopen with 66% more capacity than planned

While Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the relaxation of state restrictions earlier Wednesday, local health officials have the power to be more restrictive than the state if they choose. Los Angeles health officials have exercised this option in the past.

The state restrictions read: “Capacity must be limited to 25% or 100 people, whichever is less.” So not only is the new LA County Health Order in effect, but theaters will also be bound by the 100-person limit mentioned in the state order.

The LA County press release confirming the local guidelines Thursday made no mention of the “100 people” warning in the state order, but county officials cannot be more indulgent than the State, therefore, both limitations should apply to Los Angeles.

According to Deadline’s Anthony D’Alessandro, AMC plans to open its Los Angeles theaters in a week from tomorrow. On Thursday, TCL – which has Chinese 6 and Imax Chinese Theater – was still wondering whether to reopen next weekend. Cinemark said he looked forward to the reopening in the region and would share “an update on the reopening once government restrictions are announced.” Obviously, this has now happened.

Holdouts include Regal, Arclight, Laemmle, and Cinepolis. Each of these chains plans to reopen at a later date. For more details, click on Anthony’s story.

Here is the full list of the Red Level reopening guidelines released by LA County officials on Thursday:

The museum, zoos and aquariums can open indoors at 25% capacity.

Gyms, fitness centers, yoga and dance studios can open indoors at 10% capacity with a blanking requirement for all indoor activities.

Movie theaters can open indoors at 25% capacity with reserved seating only, where each group is seated at least 6 feet apart in all directions between all other groups.

Retail and personal care services can increase capacity by up to 50% with masking required anytime and for all services.

Restaurants may open indoors to a maximum capacity of 25% under the following conditions: 8 feet apart between tables; one cleaning per table with a limit of 6 people; the HVAC system is in good working order and has been evaluated and, where possible, possible ventilation has been increased. Public Health strongly recommends that all restaurant employees who interact with customers indoors receive additional masking protection (above the face shield currently required on face masks); it can be N95 masks, KN95 masks or double masks and a face shield. In addition, Public Health strongly recommends that all employees working inside be informed and have the opportunity to be vaccinated. Outdoor meals can accommodate up to six people per table from 3 different households.

Indoor shopping centers can increase their capacity to 50%, with common areas remaining closed; Food courts may open to 25% capacity per restaurant guidelines for indoor dining.

Institutes of higher education can reopen all authorized activities with the required security changes, with the exception of residential accommodation, which remains subject to the current restrictions for the spring semester. Schools are allowed to reopen for in-person instruction for students in Grades 7 to 12, in accordance with all state and county guidelines.

Private gatherings can take place indoors with up to 3 separate households, with masking and distancing required at all times. Fully vaccinated people can congregate indoors in small numbers with other fully vaccinated people with no masking or separation required.

City News Service contributed to this report.