The efforts to slow the spread of Coronavirus/Covid-19 resulted in closure of most of the cinemas for nearly 6 months. Many started tentatively reopening in late August, anticipating the release of Nolan’s “Tenet,” the Bond pic “No Time to Die” and Marvel’s “Black Widow.” The exhibitors also poured resources into enhanced safety and the sanitization protocols. But now according to the latest update, all Regal Cinemas in US will close indefinitely at the end of the day Thursday.
On Thursday, Regal Cinemas, in the US with 536 theaters and 7,076 screens will officially shut all its doors in the US for the 2nd time during the global pandemic. And it will affect nearly 45,000 employees. The decision was announced after the “No Time to Die,” the latest James Bond installment, was shelved until 2021.
Regal is the second-largest film exhibitor in the in the country behind AMC. There are 44 Regal Cinemas in New York, including in Colonie, East Greenbush, Albany, Clifton Park and Queensbury, and they have 1,900 employees.
Mooky Greidinger, CEO of Cineworld said that this decision was taken to support a safe and sustainable reopening in the US. There had been no evidence to date linking any Coronavirus cases with cinemas.
Regal films is the second largest theater chain, with 536 locations in the US and more than 45,000 employees. On Monday Regal said that it was closing 536 US Theaters location because of the lack of new releases.