Regal Cinemas at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo has reopened for moviegoers with some new rules in place to combat COVID-19.
Regal has opened in select cities with a range of new health and safety measures based on guidelines provided by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
According to Regal, guests are required to wear face masks at all times while in the auditorium except when eating or drinking. Employees monitor auditoriums throughout each performance as standard practice.
Auditorium capacities are reduced to 50%, and a reservation system will maintain two empty seats between groups.
Regal employees are required to wear masks and are screened before work every day.
Tickets and concession items can be purchased in person or on the Regal mobile app. Self-service stands will be closed, and refills on drinks and popcorn are suspended.
Patrons are required to wear face masks in the lobby, hallways and restrooms. If any person does not comply, they will be asked to leave, according to Regal’s website.
Regal Prince Kuhio has been showing new and older movies every day.
On Wednesday afternoon, for example, a few people headed in and out of the theater to experience going to a movie for the first time since the venue was closed because of the pandemic.
Kalani Laurich decided to go to a showing of one of the “Lord of the Rings” movies. After exiting the theater, Laurich was feeling good about his decision.
“I think it’s a safer activity since they are seating less people,” Laurich said. “It helps that they have regulations like having seats separating parties.”
Laurich was happy to see the theater reopened since it gave him the option of something new to do.
“I went to the movies because I wanted to see ‘Lord of the Rings’ on the big screen,” Laurich said. “It’s really nice to have something to do in the mall that isn’t shopping or eating.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com