Movie theaters across the state will be allowed to open next week, and AMC and Emagine are wasting no time getting viewers in seats while implementing new health measures in response to COVID-19.
Emagine Theatres’ Michigan locations will open at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, after being closed since March. Emagine locations have undergone cleaning and disinfecting procedures and are following protocols set forth by CinemaSafe, a program that developed guidelines for a safe return to movie theaters.
CinemaSafe guidelines include requiring masks, social distancing, and reduced capacity in theaters. All HVAC systems must be in working order with increased ventilation whenever possible. Employees have gone through health training and are required to wash their hands frequently, and hand sanitizer will be available for customer use. Enhanced cleaning practices have also been put in place.
While concessions will be available, patrons are encouraged to use credit cards or contactless payments whenever possible. CinemaSafe-verified theaters also are eliminating communal food and condiments that require shared serving utensils or equipment. Ticket sales are encouraged to be purchased online or via phone whenever possible to reduce the need to stand in line and handle paper tickets.
Emagine will offer free movie tickets to frontline workers from Oct. 9-15 with valid work IDs. Offers are valid in-theater only on the day of the showing and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each frontline worker can also bring a guest for free.
Emagine Michigan locations include:
- Emagine Birch Run
- Emagine Canton
- Emagine Hartland
- Emagine Macomb
- Emagine Novi
- Emagine Palladium
- Emagine Rochester Hills
- Emagine Royal Oak
- Emagine Saline
- The Riviera, Powered by Emagine
Emagine Entertainment’s affiliates own and operate luxury theatres in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Across Michigan, 12 of AMC Entertainment’s theaters will also open Oct. 9, bringing more than 80 percent of all AMC U.S. locations online.
All AMC theaters will enforce AMC Safe and Clean and follow all local guidelines and directives. Appropriate masks are required for everyone, and people who come in with masks the theater deems inappropriate (such as open-chin bandanas, masks with vents, and neck gaiters) will be required to purchase a mask for $1.
Food and drink will still be available from a shortened menu, and credit card and touchless payments will be encouraged as much as possible. Refills will not be available. Reduced auditorium capacity and social distancing will be required, and hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes will be available for customer use.
Associates have been briefed on health protocols and are required to take daily health screenings.
AMC Michigan locations opening include:
- AMC Birchwood 10
- AMC Fairlane 21
- AMC Forum 30
- AMC Star Gratiot 15
- AMC Star Great Lakes 25
- AMC John R 15
- AMC Livonia 20
- AMC CLASSIC Fashion Square 10 (Flint area)
- AMC Grand Rapids 18
- AMC Holland 8
- AMC Portage Street 10 (Grand Rapids area)
- AMC CLASSIC Ludington 8
“We continue to be highly encouraged to be able to welcome even more guests back to the magic of moviegoing, at AMC locations in Michigan and the Bay Area in Northern California,” says Adam Aron, CEO of AMC. “We continue to reopen responsibly. The feedback we’ve received from our guests indicate that our AMC Safe and Clean policies and protocols are working exactly as intended. We’re seeing record-high guest scores for the cleanliness of our theatres, far exceeding the marks we’ve received in the decades we’ve been tracking guest feedback.”
AMC is based in Kansas.
