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EXCLUSIVE AFTER UPDATE: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that New York City cinemas will be aligned with the rest of New York state from March 5, when they will be allowed to reopen at 25% of their capacity with no more than 50 people per screen, masks, social distancing and other protocols.
The guidelines include standards for filtration and air purification previously specified by the Department of Justice.
Cuomo press conference officials today said no Covid-19 testing would be necessary, as is the case with large areas like Madison Square Garden and Barclay’s Center, which may reopen later. in February. New York theaters will follow the same guidelines put in place for theaters in the rest of New York state in October.
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Keeping the state and one of the country’s two largest film markets in darkness for nearly a year has crippled theatrical release schedules around the world. As Covid prices fell, recently reaching their lowest level since November – before the holiday wave – theater owners watched in dismay as other venues reopened.
Cuomo announced the reopening earlier in the undated briefing and those on the roll – including Bowtie Cinemas family president and CEO Joe Masher – and other industrialists, who had already waited so long, had to wait until the end of the call when a reporter has requested. Cuomo didn’t have the information, but another official did.
“With the reopening of New York City, the studios will hopefully have more confidence to keep their release dates as planned, which is a huge step in the recovery process for the entire industry. the exposure, ”Masher said. He said the 25% capacity was problematic for many chains and that NATO was asking the governor’s office to increase it from 25% to 50% in luxury auditoriums with reclining seats in the city. These are theaters that have seen their capacities “considerably reduced” due to the larger seats.
“Again, zero cases! Get ready, New York, we’re coming back! Masher said.
The national NATO, in a separate statement, highlighted the “voluntary and rigorous health and safety protocols that have allowed cinemas across the country to operate safely and responsibly at higher capacity limits for several months without that only one COVID-19 outbreak can be traced. at cinemas. New York is a major market for films in the United States; its reopening gives film distributors confidence in fixing and keeping their theatrical release dates, and is an important step in the recovery of the entire industry. We are looking forward to expanding the capacity from 25% to 50% in the very near future so that theaters can operate profitably. “
PREVIOUS EXCLUSIVE, 11:41 am: Well-placed sources tell us that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo could finally give the green light today for New York theaters to be allowed to reopen after being closed for nearly a year, since mid -March 2020. We do not yet have details on the shape or form. It could be that the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens open first before Manhattan. At the same time, our sources say that you never know with Cuomo: he’s full of surprises. Therefore, if nothing is happening today, well, it is possible and it is an ongoing struggle between the exhibition and the Governor of New York State.
Another source tells us it will be three weeks before New York theaters reopen. Again, let’s see what happens to this press phone today.
Exhibitors were shocked that Cuomo had yet to give approval to New York theaters after allowing indoor sports arenas, theme parks, family recreation centers, and more. to reopen at capacity limits, as well as New York City restaurants to increase indoor dining capacity to 35% starting this Friday, February 26.
Exhibition fight with Cuomo was epic during Covid: Backstage theaters got help from Principle Filmmaker Christopher Nolan and Tribeca Film Festival patron Jane Rosenthal speak meaningfully to Cuomo. When the number of Covid cases improved in October, it allowed some counties to reopen, however, only 62 of the state’s 280 theaters are on. Exhibitor # 2, Regal, has decided to stay closed until major movie studios have more product and don’t disrupt the theater showcase. Last summer, major exhibitors AMC, Regal and Cinemark joined forces and filed a federal lawsuit against New Jersey to reopen during Covid-19, but lost that offer. At the end of August, New Jersey finally reopened theaters in time for Warner Bros. ‘ Principle at 25% capacity.
Once again, fingers crossed that theaters are finally opening in New York. We will know very soon.
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