AMC to reopen 450 US theatres on 15 July, will adopt four-phase approach to increase limited seating capacity

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc said on Thursday, 17 June, it plans to reopen theaters at about 450 locations in the United States on 15 July and expects to return to full seating capacity around Thanksgiving. The world’s largest movie theater operator also said it would reopen the remaining 150 theaters in the country in time for the opening of Disney’s _Mulan_ on 24 July and Warner Bros’ 31 July release,  _Tenet_ . [caption id=“attachment_8467381” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”]  An AMC theatre chain[/caption] The company said it will adopt a four-phase approach to increasing limitations on the seating capacity, adding that social distancing will be enforced across all auditoriums. _Also read on Firstpost — Coronavirus Outbreak: AMC, largest US movie theatre chain, warns it may not survive further film delays_ In phase 1, beginning 15 July, ticket availability in all AMC auditoriums will be capped at 30% of the normal seating capacity and it will block every other row in non-recliner auditoriums. This cap will be increased to 40% of the seating capacity in phase 2 and 50% in phase 3, which is expected to begin around the Labor Day weekend. The company plans to operate at full capacity in Phase 4, expected around Thanksgiving. AMC also said that as part of its health and sanitation program, every auditorium will be cleaned between each showtime along with routine disinfection of all high-touch areas including door handles, stanchions, service counters, handrails, escalator rails, benches, and restroom fixtures.