As tickets go on sale for the reopening of various Alamo Drafthouse locations, all ticket purchasers must acknowledge a warning assuming all risks for COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly changed the way every business operates and moviegoers have been without this pastime for quite a while. Alamo Drafthouse originally closed back in March and gave no word on when their locations would open back up. As with so many other businesses, decisions to slowly reopen have been made as more information regarding the status of the pandemic is being released.
Select Alamo Drafthouse locations reopened on August 21 after closing down for the COVID-19 pandemic. As with so many other business, this reopening comes with several safety precautions in place to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus. Masks, social distancing, and new sanitation practices are just a few of the safety measures that will be practiced at Alamo Drafthouse once people are let inside the doors. But the theater also requires attendees to acknowledge there's a risk in going to the movies.
In a screenshot shared by Twitter user Brock Wilbur, we are given a look at how the new safety protocols are affecting ticket purchases. Before you can complete your ticket purchase, you are required to check off a waiver acknowledging the risks of attending a screening and agreeing not to hold Alamo Drafthouse responsible for any exposure to COVID-19. The waiver details that though Alamo Drafthouse and its employees are doing what they can to keep their audiences safe, there is no way to be entirely sure that no one will contract the virus while visiting their facilities.
The Alamo Drafthouse plans to reopen include new release screenings such as Bill & Ted Face The Music, New Mutants, and Tenet. In addition, to go along with the theme of “making up for lost time,” there are a ton of screenings of classic films that deal with time to be shown. Alamo Drafthouse is definitely working to build up the excitement for their reopening after a five month hiatus, but that is not without the recognition we are still very much in the middle of a pandemic.
Moviegoers have been longing for the moment that theaters will resume screenings, and while this news may be exciting, it is important to remember that this virus is still real and very prevalent. Remaining closed would be the safest decision as it would reduce the risk of exposure and encourage people to stay home. Movie theaters are usually not a place that people attend by themselves and this would be yet another avenue for people to be in a group in a public setting. No amount of social distancing or sanitation measures can completely eliminate the risk of contracting this virus. It would seem that if you have to require everyone to acknowledge such a poignant agreement, then it may not be wise to start reopening doors. In addition, it seems contradictory to entice people into the theaters while simultaneously recognizing that people may get sick if they attend these screenings.
There are also the potential profit ramifications for deciding to have new releases in theaters like Alamo Drafthouse. While some may be lining up for their seats, other will decide not to attend, thus, negatively impacting the amount of profit to be received by both studios and Alamo themselves. We have yet to see how this will affect both the health of moviegoers and the theaters, but adapting is unavoidable, and everyone is doing what they need to do to remain afloat during these unprecedented times.
Source: Brock Wilbur/Twitter