The Galaxy Theatre in Medicine Hat has been closed since public health orders in March limited business activity, but Cineplex announced Tuesday the local facility will be reopened on July 3 alongside the remainder of its Alberta theatres. (Pictured) Hatters stroll past the entrance to the theatre at the Medicine Hat Mall on June 8, 2020. -- NEWS FILE PHOTO
Cineplex said Monday that six of its Alberta movie theatre locations could reopen on June 26, then plans for most to be open to the public in early July.
The company will announce which six closer to the date, but said operations plans and seating schemes were being developed to help patrons remain physically separated.
Theatres across the country – including Cineplex galaxy in the Medicine Hat Mall – were closed in mid-March as provincial health authorities imposed limits on the number of people who could gather as a way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Alberta is the first province to allow theatres to reopen with increased cleaning and social distancing measures. That began on June 12.
Cineplex, which has 165 location across Canada, also stated in Monday’s press release it responded to the lockdown by laying off temporary and part-time employees while temporarily reducing the salaries of permanent workers.