Movie theaters suffering under COVID restrictions

Posted November 2020

By Benjamin Dang

Cub Reporter

Movie theater companies, such as AMC and Regal, are struggling to keep their businesses open as the COVID-19 pandemic is shutting their doors or limiting the number of visitors into these establishments.

Several movie theaters have had to close their doors, sometimes permanently. Big movie theater chains are taking a big hit as they have to close hundreds of theaters. Cineworld temporarily closed 663 theaters in October.

Because of these closures, some movie theaters are on the brink of bankruptcy, as there are no more customers keeping their establishments running. Specifically, small and midsize movie theater chains are at risk for filing for bankruptcy or closing permanently. Mt. Hood Theater in Gresham has had to get creative. While the auditorium is closed, they've kept the concession stand open to walk-in customers. Alamo Drafthouse theaters, popular in the Midwest, has only half of its 41 theaters open.

Movie theater employees are also at risk of unemployment. If they still showing up to work, they have to take standard safety precautions and wear PPE. Sometimes theatres overlook these safety rules, which poses a risk to employee health. However, employees that do show up are working significantly less hours a week. Several employees, however, have stopped showing up to work because they got sick while cleaning up and working in the auditorium with the customers.