“Movie theaters across the state employ thousands and serve as anchors in shopping malls and small-town business districts, where many small businesses are struggling to remain open due to the challenges of the COVID crisis. It is vital that movie theater operators be given an opportunity to reopen safely in order to protect these jobs and support these businesses. Therefore, I am calling on Governor Cuomo to allow movie theaters to reopen in any region where the COVID positive test rate remains below 2 percent.

“Movie theater operators have shown that they are ready to adopt the measures necessary to keep COVID at bay. The National Association of Theatre Owners has released detailed public health guidance that includes requiring masks for employees and patrons, six-foot physical distancing between parties, reduced capacity in viewing rooms, enhanced disinfecting, and touch-less ticketing and concessions. In addition, according to industry standards, movie theaters use separate MERV 11 or higher HVAC filtration units for each screening room, ensuring that air does not mix between different rooms in a theater.

“Given these enhanced protocols, the state should reconsider the decision to keep movie theaters closed. Other establishments and schools have been permitted to reopen safely with similar protocols. The vigilant use of mask wearing and enhanced cleaning protocols has shown that we can allow these businesses to operate safely at reduced capacity. These is no reason why movie theaters should be treated differently from similar establishments like restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, and gyms.

“Nearly every other state has allowed movie theaters to reopen, including those states with the lowest rates of COVID infections and deaths. I urge the Governor to give New York’s movie theater operators the same opportunity to reopen in regions where the infection rate is 2 percent or lower. Doing so will protect theaters from closure, save countless jobs, and help support thousands of small businesses in shopping malls and business districts throughout the state.”