Movie theaters in greater St. Louis area announce reopening dates, face mask mandate

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ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A number of movie theaters in the St. Louis area will reopen in the next two weeks. Marcus Theaters announced a two-phase reopening plan for its locations around the U.S. – including its nine theaters in Missouri. 

The company also announced a number of changes to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 for movie goers. 

Face mask will be required for all customers, except when eating or drinking. They're encouraging everyone to purchase tickets in advance on the Marcus Theatres App or website, so you don't have to wait in line at the box office. The same goes for ordering food and drinks, those can also be preordered using their mobile app or website. 

There will be two empty seats between groups for proper social distancing and a methodical cleaning/disinfecting process will occur after every movie, the website states

The local reopening theater dates are as follows: 

  • Arnold Cinema - Arnold, MO Opening Friday, August 28!
  • Cape West Cinema - Cape Girardeau, MO Opening Friday, August 21!
  • Chesterfield Cinema - Chesterfield, MO Opening Friday, August 28!
  • Des Peres Cinema - Des Peres, MO Opening Friday, August 28!
  • Eagles' Landing Cinema - Lake Ozark, MO Opening Friday, August 21!
  • Mid Rivers Cinema - St. Peters, MO Opening Date Coming Soon!
  • Ronnie's Cinema + IMAX - St. Louis, MO Opening Friday, August 28!
  • St. Charles Cinema - St. Charles, MO Opening Friday, August 21!
  • Town Square Cinema - Dardenne Prairie, MO Opening Friday, August 28!

At least 69,417 confirmed cases have been reported in Missouri since the start of the pandemic, according to state health department data updated Tuesday.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases per day has also been on the rise. In the past week, the state has added 1,238 new confirmed cases per day on average, according to an Associated Press analysis as of Monday of Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 tracking data.

Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams said the recent increase in cases is largely because it is spreading among people in their 20s and 30s.

He said he has heard reports of some young people avoiding getting tested because they are concerned about what they would need to do if they test positive.

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