In the lead-up to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, all the largest U.S. exhibitors have announced updates to their health and safety policies to lessen or eliminate the requirement for moviegoers to wear masks at the theatre. On Friday, AMC announced, “Consistent with the latest CDC guidelines and following consultation with public-health experts, AMC Theatres’ guests who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear face coverings at AMC locations, unless it is mandated by state or local ordinances.
Guests who are not fully vaccinated are asked to continue wearing masks.” Regal and Cinemark have announced similar updates to their policies. These updates come as the U.S. box office appears ready for a strong upturn, as vaccination rates continue to climb and Hollywood studios have scheduled to deliver a summer full of wide commercial films.