East Aurora, N.Y. (WBEN) "After the governor's comments on Monday, we're not feeling any closer." Aurora Theatre owner Lynn Kinsella reacting to comments by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
"He deemed us not essential and at high risk. That's the first we heard from the state about our status," said Kinsella.
Movie theaters will remain closed indefinitely in New York State, despite AMC Theaters reopening Thursday around the country. Regal is opening some of its theaters nationwide on Friday.
Cuomo revealed his current thinking during a Monday briefing, during which he announced that gyms would be allowed to reopen August 24.
"In 42 states across the country, movie theaters have reopened, without incident," said Kinsella. In other states where theaters are operating, she said there are capacity limits, and mask mandates, unless someone is seated and eating popcorn.
This is what Governor Cuomo had to say about movie theaters on Monday. “I am sure there is a whole group of people who say, ‘I cannot live without going to the movies.’ But on a relative risk scale, a movie theater is less essential and poses a high risk. It is congregant. It is one ventilation system. You are seated there for a long period of time … Even if you are at 50-percent capacity with one or two seats between the two of you, this is a risk situation and… movie theaters are not that high on the list of essentials.”
Cuomo did not indicate when he will allow theaters to reopen.
Kinsella said a news conference is planned for Thursday of this week to discuss the plight of movie theaters and to lay out reasons why they believe they can reopen safely.