Los Angeles will now allow movie theaters to operate at 50% capacity, allowing up to 200 patrons inside a theater at any given time.
The moves provide a glimmer of hope that the pandemic could be coming to a close. L.A. is moving into California’s orange tier, which is the third step in the state’s reopening plan. This tier requires fewer new coronavirus cases daily per 100,000 people and a test positivity rate under 5%.
Movie theaters took a big hit during the early days of the pandemic. Many were forced to lay off staff as closures loomed for months. The move will increase capacity from 100 people to 200 people in L.A. It is expected to go into effect on Monday, April 5th.
The vice president and chief communications officer of the National Association of Theatre Owners, Patrick Corcoran, praised the decision and hopes that it will help the theaters in L.A. come back from the pandemic’s financial toll.
“This is another important milestone for movie theaters in the country’s largest moviegoing market. At 50% capacity, theaters can begin to once again operate profitably.”
