releases like Mulan and Tenet.
Throughout the shutdown, AMC has been in the news quite a bit, whether because they announced a guests would not need to wear masks, which prompted a significant backlash online.
AMC has now announced that they are changing course in regard to their mask policy and will require all guests to wear them. AMC issued a lengthy statement about the change, which says, "As we reopen theatres, we now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theatres." How long the policy will be enforced is undetermined at this time. Guests will be allowed to bring their own mask to wear or they can purchase one at the box office for $1. The company's statement concluded by saying, "Those who are unwilling to wear a mask will not be itted or allowed to stay."
The reversal by AMC on their mask policy makes them the biggest theater chain to mandate masks from their guests. This would be the case at any point since AMC is the largest chain in the world, but so far, their biggest competitors like Regal and Cinemark will not require masks to be worn by guests. Now that AMC has made the switch, Regal and others could follow in their footsteps in the near future.
AMC's quick decision to change their guidelines and require masks is the right move, but there are still logistical questions about how this will be enforced. Concessions will still be sold at AMC theaters, and guests would have to remove their masks to eat popcorn or candy or take a drink. It is also unclear how AMC plans to monitor the continued use of masks once guests are inside theaters. Will ushers be tasked with patroling theaters to kick out guests that take their mask off while the movie is playing? Hopefully, more answers on AMC's new guidelines will be revealed as their July reopenings near, but at least guests who decide to go the movies at that point can feel safer knowing masks will be required by everyone.
Source: AMC
