Landmark Cinemas CEO says new restrictions affecting movie theatres are illogical

As of Friday, you won’t be able to munch on your popcorn and sip your drink in a movie theatre.

That’s because of new COVID-19 restrictions the Saskatchewan government announced on Wednesday.

According to the public health order for all performance and gaming venues:

“Capacity will be restricted to 30 people at all casinos, bingo halls, arenas, live theatres, movie theatres, performing arts venues and any other facilities that are currently supporting a capacity of 150 people.

“Where any of these facilities offer food or beverage service, they must keep the activity separate (i.e. cordoned off) from the food and beverage service.  No food or drink may be in the activity area. ”

That has Landmark Cinemas CEO Bill Walker wondering whether enough thought and consultation went into the new rules.

He says it makes more sense for people to be able to take off their masks and eat their snacks in a theatre where physical distancing is guaranteed.

“The concept (is illogical) that we can sell concessions in the lobby, in the theatre street, that could be consumed in those areas, yet guests would need to take their masks off and consume that food in the lobby but they can’t go into the auditorium where they have reserved seats and minimum physical distancing around them — that in that place where distancing is controlled, for whatever reason, they won’t be able to take their mask off and consume food,” he said.

He says lobbies are not meant for people to hang out in right now, or for food consumption.

“Generally, it’s a flow-through, right? We want to get you through those lobbies and through that hallway as quick as possible to get to your seat,” he said.

“That’s where we’ve had so much success during this pandemic. It’s because we control show times and seating capacity. We can make sure that there’s one auditorium’s capacity going in at any one given time.”

He says theatres have operated safely in Canada up to this point. He adds that more than half of their profit right now comes from concession sales.

He recognizes that governments are doing their best and that it’s a complicated issue. Walker adds theatre operators will see what concession sales look like this upcoming weekend, and then further assess other potential steps if necessary.