Local movie theaters open doors to customers for the first time in months

LACEY, Wash. - For the first time in months, movie theaters are opening their doors to customers, giving people another option when leaving their house.

On Friday, theaters across the country began the re-opening process, such as the Century Theatres in Olympia and Regal Cinema in Lacey.

For some, getting back to the movies has been long-awaited.

“This is one of those things that’s going to make it feel like normal again," said Kathy Zinz. "So, we’re super excited about it because of that, I am. It feels like home kind of being able to go to the movies."

Cinemark Theatres officials say they are working to keep moviegoers safe.

Officials say are implementing new policies, such as limiting seating capacity, going cashless at concessions, increasing cleaning, and disinfecting.

Specifically, at the Century Theatres in Olympia, there is plenty of signage to promote mask-wearing and social distancing.

Zinz said as excited as she is to get to be back at the movies, safety is still a top priority for her.

“I would not be out if those things were not in place because while I’m pretty healthy, I don’t know what would happen, so I don’t need to find out,” she said.

Cinemark Theatres officials say they plan to continue opening more theaters throughout the week.

In late July, Gov. Jay Inslee announced guidelines for movie theaters--along with restaurants, gyms and wedding ceremony guidelines--stating indoor entertainment facilities and movie theatres must limit indoor capacity to 25 percent in Phase 3 or 4.

Nationwide, Regal Cinema already announced reopening their theatres starting Aug. 21, with plans to debut new films such as Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" in international theaters on Aug. 26 and in the U.S. starting Sept. 3.

So far, more than 40 states have allowed movie theaters to reopen to customers, with safety measures in place as a precautionary for the spread of the coronavirus, according to Variety.