By T. Scott Boatright
More than a year after Celebrity Theatres in Ruston closed its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the establishment will reopen today.
The theatre announced it consider reopening at several points over the past year but opted out of doing so each time, saying the safety and health of its guests and staff remained the top priority.
There will be a reserved seating guideline,=.
Celebrity Theatres sent this message to potential moviegoers on Thursday:
“Please be mindful that we are participating in a national program called CinemaSafe. This is a program promoting protocols and guidelines developed and supported by leading epidemiologists to support a safe return to movie theaters. This includes wearing masks which are required in all areas of our theatre when you are not seated for your movie. Thank you for helping us stay compliant with these rules.”
Those CinemaSafe guidelines are as follows:
• Masks Required
All employees must wear a face covering or mask. Patrons must wear a face covering at all times, except as noted by the CDC and herein. Those who are unwilling to wear a face covering will be denied entry.
• Employee Health Training
All employees should be trained on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 as well as local theatre policies and procedures.
• Modified Concessions
Minimize cash transactions and encourage credit cards or contactless payments whenever possible. Theaters will eliminate communal food and condiments that requires shared serving utensils or equipment.
• Mobile Ticketing
Tickets sales should be available online or via phone whenever feasible to reduce the need to stand in line for tickets. Alternatives to paper tickets should be used whenever possible.
• Not Feeling Well?
Stay at Home.
If you are experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, or other symptoms that could be related to COVID-19, please stay home and we welcome you to join us again in the future.