La mayor cadena de cines de EEUU exigirá mascarillas

LOS ÁNGELES.- AMC, la cadena de cines más grande de Estados Unidos, rectificó este viernes sus medidas de reactivación tras el cierre por el coronavirus y anunció que exigirá que todos los espectadores lleven mascarillas cuando acudan a sus salas.

La rectificación llega un día después de que la compañía presentara «AMC Safe & Clean», un plan con el que esta cadena espera reabrir la mayoría de sus instalaciones en EEUU el próximo 15 de julio y que especificaba que sus empleados debían llevar mascarillas.

Pero su postura era diferente para el público, que se incluía bajo un epígrafe de recomendaciones titulado «cómo puedes ayudar».

«Equipo de protección personal (PPE) recomendado. Protégete a ti y a los otros llevando una mascarilla, disponible para su compra si se desea», decía el plan.

«En algunos municipios, los clientes tendrán que llevar mascarillas», añadía en relación a las zonas de EE.UU. en las que las autoridades locales, del condado o estatales obligan a llevar mascarillas.

Estas declaraciones y la postura de AMC respecto a las mascarillas provocaron una notable polémica en las redes sociales hasta que la compañía dio este viernes marcha atrás.

El resto de medidas para la reapertura de AMC incluyen aspectos como reducir el aforo de las salas, reforzar la limpieza de las instalaciones o establecer criterios de distanciamiento.

EFE

Masks will be optional when the largest movie theater chain reopens in the US July 15

Update: AMC has reversed its decision on its mask policy. Per a statement,

This announcement prompted an intense and immediate outcry from our customers, and it is clear from this response that we did not go far enough on the usage of masks. At AMC Theatres, we think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests. Accordingly, and with the full support of our scientific advisors, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy. As we reopen theaters, we now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theaters. The speed with which AMC moved to revise our mask policies is a reflection of our commitment to the safety and health of our guests.

Less than a month out, AMC has finally put a firm date on its plans to reopen theaters across the U.S. The chain will resume service for 450 of its 600+ locations on July 15, lining up with its earlier promises of mid-July. Movie goers are no doubt a bit hesitate to return to theaters for reasons Anthony and I have already outlined, and new comments from CEO Adam Aron aren’t exactly bolstering confidence.

In an interview with Variety, the chief exec noted that theaters would not require guests to wear masks. He justified the decision — or, perhaps, indecision — with the odd claim that mask requirements were inherently political.

“We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy,” he told the outlet. “We thought it might be counterproductive if we forced mask wearing on those people who believe strongly that it is not necessary. We think that the vast majority of AMC guests will be wearing masks. When I go to an AMC feature, I will certainly be wearing a mask and leading by example.” By Brian Heater