Georgia Movie Theaters Could Reopen Next Week
by EG
Amid conflicting messages from the White House and still-raging pandemic numbers, Georgia's governor is itching to get people gathered together in his state again. Governor Brian Kemp announced this week that he's relaxing restrictions on many businesses, including movie theaters, so that they can begin operating again. But with experts warning against too-quick resumption of risky activities, and with Hollywood still largely shuttered, it's not clear that it will be that easy to re-start the movie theater business. Read on for details.
Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday announced an aggressive reopening plan for his state that would allow cinemas to begin reopening early next week.
However, it may prove impossible for cinemas to flip on the lights if there are strict social distancing measures in place due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. A blueprint put forth by the White House last week states that during Phase One, gatherings of 10 or more people would still be prohibited, an impossible restriction for a cinema.
A jurisdiction can begin to reopen if it meets certain criteria regarding the number of COVID-19 cases, according to the White House plan. It isn't clear whether Georgia has fulfilled those requirements.
Kemp nevertheless announced that gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors are among establishments that may reopen on Friday, as long as owners follow strict social distancing and hygiene requirements.
By April 27, he said movie theaters may resume selling tickets and restaurants now limited to takeout orders can go back to limited dine-in service.
"In the same way that we carefully closed businesses and urged operations to end to mitigate the virus’s spread, today we’re announcing plans to incrementally and safely reopen sectors of our economy." Gov. Kemp said. "If we continue on the path we are headed down, we will totally destroy not only the U.S. economy, but also the world economy."
Heath officials say the state's death toll from COVID-19 has risen above 700. There have been at least 733 deaths statewide have been linked to the virus, while infections have been confirmed in nearly 19,000 people.
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.
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