(Bloomberg) -- AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group, the two largest American theater chains, will close all their U.S. cinemas starting Tuesday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
The closures are the most drastic step the companies have taken since the outbreak of the disease. Their decision follows pressure from city, state and federal officials to limit public gatherings. AMC, the nation's largest, said its movie halls will be closed for at least six to 12 weeks, while Regal said its theaters will be shut indefinitely.
“It's our goal to provide a safe and healthy environment for our employees and guests,” said Mooky Greidinger, chief executive officer of Cineworld Group Plc, which owns Regal. Echoing those comments, AMC CEO Adam Aron said the wellbeing of all Americans takes precedences above all else.
Regal, which operates 542 theaters with 7,155 screens across the U.S., had previously cut capacity at its theaters in half. AMC has about 1,000 theaters and 11,000 screens across the globe, according to its statement.
To contact the reporter on this story: Kelly Gilblom in Los Angeles at kgilblom@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Nick Turner at nturner7@bloomberg.net, John J. Edwards III
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