Macon, Warner Robins movie theaters will reopen soon. Here are their COVID-19 rules

Middle Georgia movie theaters are starting to open this week with new guidelines in place to protect their visitors from the pandemic.

AmStar Cinemas, owner of AmStar Macon on Zebulon Road, plans to open its doors on Friday, while the Georgia Theater Company plans to open Houston Lakes Cinemas in Warner Robins on Friday and Galleria Mall Cinemas in Centerville on Sept. 3, according to their websites.

Both companies have established new cleaning protocols and procedures in line with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in order to keep their visitors and employees safe from COVID-19.

Here are the guidelines AmStar Cinemas has implemented:

• Enhanced cleaning measures consistent with CDC guidelines
• Additional safety training for staff
• Cleaning of high touch surface areas every 30 minutes
• Sanitizing each theater seat between use
• Masks are required in all common areas except for the theater auditorium, in which people may remove their masks if they are seated and are eating and drinking.
• Socially distanced seating
• Employees must wear masks and gloves and wash their hands frequently.
• Staff must complete a health screening before being allowed to work.
• Floor stickers to help people follow social distancing guidelines

• Installing higher filtration MERV filters in HVAC systems

• People can use the AmStar app in order to order their tickets and food before getting to the theater to limit contact with staff. AmStar is waiving the online ticketing fee until Sept. 30.

Here are the guidelines Georgia Theatre Company has implemented:

• Enhanced cleaning measures and sanitizing places frequently touched more often, including seats, door handles, restrooms and counters.
• Asking patrons to remain six feet apart
• Asking patrons to leave two extra seats between them and the next guest
• Recommending online ticketing
• Hand sanitizer will be available in the lobby, and they are encouraging people to wash their hands.
• Following CDC guidelines
• Employees must wear a face mask and wash their hands.
• Patrons must wear a face mask unless they are in their seat in the theater.

This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 11:24 AM.