Savoy 16, operating under new ownership based in Tennessee, is set to reopen this Friday, January 22nd, according to reporting from The News-Gazette. The theater will have to operate under Tier 1 mitigations.
Though there is no express guidance for movie theaters, Tier 1 mitigations require bars, restaurants, and social gatherings be limited to 25 people or 25% capacity (the lesser of the two), so it seems reasonable to expect each theater screen to be limited to 25 guests.
While I’m eager to return to the movie theater (and life as we knew it), the idea of sitting in a room (even if it’s larger than a restaurant) for several hours with 24 potentially maskless strangers sends chills down my spine. I don’t trust that people will keep their masks on. Savoy 16 sells concessions, and we have all heard the coughing fit that comes from an errant popcorn kernal.
So in theory I am glad that Savoy 16 is back, but going to the movies doesn’t makes sense for me right now.
Top image from Google Maps.