The Ontario government is allowing drive-in movie theatres to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision was announced on Saturday as the province moves forward with it's reopening plans. Drive-in theatres will be allowed to begin operations on Sunday, though it may take longer for some theatres to get up and running.
Peter Boros, Director of Marketing and Communications for Premier Theatres, which owns several drive-in theatres across the province including London's Mustang Drive-In says he's excited to start the season.
"We're definitely excited to see that we are allowed to open with precautions," said Boros. "But we're not going to be able to open for another week or so. Once we get all our food orders in place, and we put our staff into to full training mode with everybody...it will take a good week or more before we open."
Many people enjoy the novelty of drive-in theatres during the summer. Boros said they normally have ample time to prepare for it.
"We usually open up March 20. It's what we call it a soft opening, of course, the weather's not the best in March. It's basically a gradual way of how we hire our staff for the whole summer." Boros explained. "Our parks are quite busy over a regular year, but this year, we know it's going to be busier than ever, even with the social distancing rules in place."
A release sent out by the province said drive-in theatres could reopen with restrictions but did not specify what the restrictions are. The release also stated that the use of washrooms will be allowed provided health and safety requirements are followed.
Boros said his team is still working out any safety measures that will need to be put in place and anticipates more information from the government in the following days. "There are certain parameters that are still up in the air. That's something we're going to have to discuss in the next few days." Boros added that most of his concerns are regarding how they will be operating concession stands, the theatre's largest income generator.
While the Mustang Drive-In doesn't have an official opening date as of yet, Boros said people can watch for updates on their website as well as other social media platforms.
- With files from Allanah Wills