L.A. County Movie Theaters Could Reopen This Week

LOS ANGELES, CA — Movie theaters in Los Angeles and in 51 other California counties could reopen as soon as June 12, the California Department of Public Health said in an industry guidance publication Monday.

The state's guidance only applies to businesses that can provide physical distance between patrons, including bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages, arcades and movie theaters.

The decision for a county to reopen its theaters must be made with health officer approval and after considering the number of positive cases, the rate of positive tests and the quality of contact tracing, the department clarified.

Theaters that reopen will be required to limit capacity to 25 percent, or to a maximum of 100 patrons, whichever is lower, according to the Department of Public Health.

The state rolled out a list of considerations for movie theaters as they begin reopening, including creating reservation systems that prevent large groups of people entering a theater at one time and implementing one-way entrances and exits to theaters.

Theaters are also urged to space patrons at least six feet apart, require face masks except for when eating or drinking, use disposable or washable seat covers, deactivate public drinking fountains and more.

Fifty-one of California's 58 counties have been granted a Stage 2 variance, meaning they can proceed with allowing certain services to resume, so long as certain criteria related to controlling COVID-19 cases are met.

Bay Area counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara have not yet filed for a Stage 2 variance, and neither has Imperial County.