IPIC Theaters to reopen in June with strict guidelines in place for guests

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

While countless theater chains across the globe are still evaluating their plans to reopen amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, IPIC Theaters announced today that they'll be reopening their Texas-based luxury dine-in chain, beginning with their Fairview and Houston sites on June 4 followed by Austin on June 11. When IPIC allows their doors for select locations to swing wide, the theater company will do so under a set of what some would say are extreme conditions for guests.

“During the closure, IPIC Theater’s priority has been to develop a way to offer our unique cinematic and dining experience where our guests can entrust that we have done everything possible to ensure their wellness,” said Paul Safran, IPIC Theater’s CEO and Legal Counsel in a statement. “We have developed new standards to limit interactions between guests and team members, while still delivering the same premium experience that our guests expect. In addition, we’ve acquired new technologies to help maintain the health of everyone in our cinemas and restaurants.”

What can theatergoers expect when they enter an IPIC Theater location, you ask? To begin, the theater will make use of the Centurion T165K EBT Thermal Scanner and Evaclean Electrostatic Sprayer. The what now, you say? Well, to put it plainly, the Centurion Thermal Scanner device will be used to evaluate a guest's temperature, while the Evaclean Electrostatic Sprayer is meant to attack microbes and decontaminate facilities. According to Deadline, the Evaclean Electrostatic Sprayer is a touchless disinfectant that reaches four-times the greater surface area compared to traditional cleaning equipment. The sprayer will be used nightly during days of the week IPIC is closed to the public.

“This will allow for us to quickly identify and address temperature abnormalities for individuals walking into IPIC Theaters,” said Safran.

As a point of note, IPIC's California locations in Pasadena and Westwood have yet to announce plans to reopen. Furthermore, IPIC's New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland, Florida and Washington locations are to remain closed for the time being.

But wait, that's not all. IPIC is also looking to establish a number of other precautions that will, in all hope, guarantee the safety of their guests. You can find a list of the guidlines set to be implemented at IPIC Theaters below:

– Pausing the blanket and pillow program in-theater
– Requiring team members to wear protective masks and gloves and encouraging guests to wear masks in common areas
– Enhanced sanitization protocols throughout the day, between showtimes and close of business using EPA approved disinfectant products
– Addition of a staff position dedicated to sanitation of all common areas during business hours
– Limiting theater operations to the public to Thursday through Sunday to allow for additional extensive cleaning
– Ensuring proper social distancing between parties in the theaters and restaurants
– Minimizing guest interactions with chain’s servers
– Addition of plexiglass at Guest Services and Express Counters

Boy oh boy, I can definitely feel a "back in my day" rant simmering at the tips of my typing fingers, but who am I to endanger the lives of others by not taking every precaution to prevent the potential spread of a deadly disease? It goes without saying that theater-going experiences are bound to change dramatically as company's continue to navigate the coronavirus pandemic. Hell, it could be that future generations will have no idea what it's like to go to the movies without such extreme measures being a part of the overall experience. I shudder to think of what these safety practices will do to ticket sales, especially with VOD proving to be a lucrative option for both studios and film fans alike.

Would you return to the theater under these new conditions? Let us know in the comments section below.