NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THEATRE OWNERS OF CALIFORNIA/NEVADA
STATEMENT ON CHALLENGES OF SAN FRANCISCO THEATRE
RE-OPENING PLAN!

(Los Angeles, Calif. – 7 October 2020) The National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada (“NATO of CA/NV”) today announced that its membership has unanimously agreed to remain closed in San Francisco, despite receiving the go ahead from city officials to reopen today without the ability to serve concessions.

While NATO of CA/NV and its members are grateful that San Francisco city officials are reopening theatres in the city, their proposed solution makes it economically impossible for our members to reopen and significantly limits the moviegoing experience for our audiences. NATO of CA/NV respectfully asks that San Francisco city officials follow the state’s and other counties’ guidelines in their approach to reopening theatres, while also remaining consistent with how they’re allowing other businesses to reopen.

San Francisco has met the state’s guidelines for the “orange tier,” meaning movie theatres are eligible to reopen at 50% capacity or up to 200 people; and 40 counties in California in addition to others around the country have reopened theatres per state guidelines with full concession sales. Further, San Francisco has announced that it is allowing indoor dining to resume, signifying the city’s approval for food and beverages to be consumed indoors, yet it is restricting concession sales in movie theatres.

“While we respect and thank Mayor Breed for her decision to allow movie theatres to reopen, the restrictions in place present an insurmountable financial challenge for our members to do so and are preventing thousands of workers from returning to work,” said Milton Moritz, President and CEO of NATO of CA/NV. “Our members have taken the steps to meet or exceed expert-backed health and safety measures, and we ask that the city reconsider its reopening plan so our theatres can, once again, serve our San Francisco community.”

NATO of CA/NV’s members in San Francisco have taken the steps to ensure the safe and healthy return to the movies and are ready to reopen safely. As part of a program called CinemaSafe, our members have voluntarily committed to health and safety protocols and guidelines developed and supported by leading epidemiologists to address the specific environment of movie theatres. These protocols include: