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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott allowed the order at his state’s home to expire on April 30. The next day, a maximum of Texas businesses was allowed to reopen at 25% capacity, adding restaurants, shops and, to the amazement of some, movie theaters. .
Most primary movie networks, such as AMC and Cinemark, do not have to reopen. But the local San Antonio network, Santikos Entertainment, reviewed it and reopened it with a plethora of new security protocols implemented: a staff member opens the door when he enters, the self-service soda device is no longer self-service, and every row of its theaters was cordoned off.
With the vast majority of theaters in the United States closed, Hollywood is not releasing any new films in theaters. Santikos will offer pre-year releases such as “Trolls World Tour” or Vin Diesel’s vehicle, “Bloodshot,” and only charge $5 for tickets and popcorn.
So far, the channel has opened only 3 of the nine venues and has received an average of 3,000 spectators over the past 3 weekends. Ticket sales account for about 15% of what they are.
But the most important thing, says CHIEF executive Tim Handren, is that they can offer some kind of escape to the Texas of this pandemic and get the staff back to work.
“We’re looking to give other people an education and let’s just say it can be done safely,” he told VICE News. “We don’t make money. We get workers back to work, they feel they are returning to a safe environment.
It remains to be noted whether it is sustainable to continue to operate a cinema with reduced capacity and new versions. But Handren is optimistic.
“There is a theatrical jolgorio in which you can’t live at home. So I don’t think that’s going to kill the industry. I think it fits.”
Cover: Tim Handren, CEO of Santikos Entertainment (VICE News Tonight / VICE TV)