CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Some people expressed their concerns about the Cinemark Century 16 reopening Friday, even though the movie theater chain has instituted new sanitization policies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Going to the movies would help spread the virus," Corpus Christi resident Cal Ybarra said. "It would infect people, and it’s not worth going.”
Cinemark released a promotional video touting all of the novel coronavirus safeguards it now has in place at theaters.
“From the moment you first step back through our doors until when you leave, following the end credits, it will be clear we’re changing how we work,” Cinemark CEO Mark Zoradi said in the video.
Those changes include sanitizing high-traffic areas every 30 minutes and theaters each morning, and between movie showings. Hand sanitizer and seat wipes will be offered, and employees will encourage moviegoers to socially distance and wear masks.
There are also new standards for those employees.
They'll be subject to routine wellness checks. They'll also take a coronavirus safety course and have to wear masks and gloves at all times.
“We can’t wait to have you back," Zoradi said in the promotional video. "It’s show time.”
Cinemark is also offering reduced-price tickets and concessions in hopes of luring customers back to the silver screen.
It's going to take more than that for some folks to take in a movie.
“The virus (has) to be gone," Corpus Christi resident Leticia Bayerlein said. "That’s it.”