Movie lovers in Greensboro who’ve been distressed by the closure of theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic will have a new movie theater option starting on Friday, May 7. 

According to a national reopening schedule released by Regal Cinemas, the popular multi-screen Regal Cinema at Friendly Shopping Center will reopen this weekend.

Like other cinema chains, Regal shut down its theaters last year due to COVID-19.  Some local theaters tried to reopen late last year and early in 2021, but some of those closed back down.

 In 2021, some area theaters have re-opened and stayed open with reduced capacity – however, the Regal at Friendly has remained closed for over a year.

In other parts of the country, some Regal theatres are already open – and others are opening up on Fridays in May under a staggard schedule. 

Other Regal theaters in North Carolina opening on May 7 include theaters in Asheville, Raleigh and Wilmington.

A statement from Regal states that the company is committed to the safety of its patrons and employees.   That, of course, means that attending a movie at the Regal will be a lot different than it was in pre-pandemic times.

Movie-goers will be required to wear a face mask while anywhere in the theatre – the lobby, restroom or auditorium. The theater will provide masks to patrons who arrive without one.  The masks can be removed only while eating and drinking while seated in an auditorium.

Employees will monitor auditoriums during each movie.

So, what happens if you refuse to wear a mask?  The theater chain notes, “Where socially unacceptable behavior is observed, including the non-wearing of a mask, this will be addressed with the patron.”

It’s not clear exactly what that means but most likely it means that Chet the manager will throw you out.