AMC Theaters Reverses Course, Will Now Require Face Masks Upon Reopening
AMC Theaters recently unveiled its initial reopening plan and shared a slew of enhanced sanitary and social distancing measures. However, the company said it wouldn’t require customers to wear face masks when it reopens this summer — only their employees.
RELATED: Face Masks Are No Longer Required In California’s Orange County
Customers of AMC Theatres, which has more than 600 locations in the US, were outraged after hearing the news that it wouldn’t be required to wear masks inside the theaters and came AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron’s interview with Variety where he said, “We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy,” Aron said. “We thought it might be counterproductive if we forced mask-wearing on those people who believe strongly that it is not necessary.”
Following a big wave of backlash, the company rehearsed their controversial move and said it will now make it mandatory. Chief Executive Officer Adam Aron said in a statement:
It is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests. With the full support of our scientific advisors, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy. We now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theatres.
According to KOMO News, Rival chain Regal followed AMC’s lead. Spokesman Richard Grover said Friday that moviegoers must wear masks in all its theaters as well.
Although some states have already started to reopen, health officials urged Americans to continue to wear masks in public to help slow or even stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.