After backlash, AMC says it will require masks at all US theaters
Closed signs are seen on an AMC Theatre during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in New York
AMC Entertainment Holdings Incsaid Friday it will require guests to wear face masks at all of its U.S. movie theatres when they reopen in July, a reversal of a policy from a day earlier that prompted a swift backlash.
Regal Cinemas, owned by Cineworld Group Plc, also said it would mandate masks for employees and customers to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
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On Thursday, AMC, the world`s largest movie theatre operator, had said it would only encourage mask-wearing except in states where authorities required it. The policy drew immediate criticism from people who said they would not feel safe if others around them were not wearing masks.
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AMC said Friday that it had listened to reactions from its customers and scientists and reversed course.
"It is clear from this response that we did not go far enough on the usage of masks," AMC Chief Executive Adam Aron said in a statement. "As we reopen theatres, we now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks."
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AMC plans to reopen 450 theatres in the United States on July 15, and the remaining 150 theatres in the country in time for the opening of Walt Disney Co's 'Mulan'on July 24 and Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet' on July 31.
Regal plans to reopen its theatres on July 10. On Thursday, AMC`s Aron said in an interview with A magazine that the company did not want to get into a 'political controversy'by forcing people to wear masks inside movie halls.
Several Twitter users accused the movie chain of not doing enough to protect customers` health.
Actor Elijah Wood, in response to AMC`s statement, tweeted: "And masks, you should require masks. Has nothing to do with politics, but rather, public health."
