CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The curtain will rise at Cineplex in Charlottetown on Friday.
The movie chain announced on Wednesday that, as part of its phased approach to reopening, the theatres in the P.E.I. capital will resume showing movies this week while the cinemas in Summerside will follow in the next few weeks.
Sarah Van Lange, executive director of communications for the chain, said the ease-back will involve a new price point and enhanced safety and cleaning measures.
There will also be updated procedures to allow for physical distancing, both inside and outside each of the auditoriums.
Cineplex shut down its theatres on March 16 when health restrictions were put in place to deal with the pandemic.
“That’s the day we started thinking about our reopening,’’ Van Lange told The Guardian. “All of our buildings, all of our processes, all of our touch points . . . have been rethought and rejigged and reexamined. The experience you have in the theatre itself will not be the same but the experience you have in your seat will be the same.’’
Payment will only be accepted by debit or credit card. Hand sanitizer will be readily available and staff will have access to personal protective equipment.
All high-surface touchpoints will be cleaned on a constant basis. That includes the movie seats themselves which will be cleaned after every single showtime.
Capacity in the Charlottetown cinemas will be reduced by 60 to 80 per cent, which is what the chain is doing across Canada.
Van Lange said all seats for all movies will be reserved seating so people know exactly where they are sitting. And, seating will in groups of two, although she said managers will be on hand to accommodate people as much as possible. In other words, if a family of four comes in they will try and accommodate them.
“If there is an opportunity for people to sit together we will accommodate that, for sure,’’ Van Lange said.
In each of the auditoriums, every second row will be left empty to ensure physical distancing.
In an effort to move people along at the concession stands in a timely fashion, food service will be limited but core offerings, like popcorn, pop, candy and nachos will still be offered. Condiments, such as butter on the popcorn, will be provided as requested by staff at the concession stand. That way, people aren’t gathering around the kiosk to butter their own popcorn as was the case before.
As for the movies themselves, the list this weekend includes Jurassic Park, Bohemian Rhapsody, Jaws, The Invisible Man, Bloodshot and Sonic The Hedgehog. Tickets for all movies will be $5 per person.
Van Lange she said can’t comment on when new movies will be available. The studios simply aren’t moving new product right now.
“We’re as anxious as you are for that. For the time being . . . this is a good way to ease movie lovers back in.’’
Cineplex also plans on introducing a private screening option in Charlottetown in the near future. That option would give a group, of at least 10 to 20 people, the chance to rent one auditorium out to see a movie at a price point of $15 per person. More information will follow at a later date.
