Almost All Alamo Drafthouse Theaters Are Now Closed Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

Austin-based movie theater and restaurant chain Alamo Drafthouse has closed almost every single one of its locations — including all six in the city area — until further notice as of yesterday, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Only one location in Winchester, Virginia remains open because it is owned by a franchisee.

In order to help support its staff (ranging from projectionists to bartenders to servers), the company is working with charity organization Emergency Assistance Foundation to strengthen its Alamo Family Fund. It will already funnel $2 million into that fund through its AlamoGives initiative.

All tickets purchased for current screenings will be refunded and monthly season pass subscriptions will be paused.

Many businesses and restaurants throughout the country, including those in Austin, have been closing down to discourage people going out (aka social distancing) in an effort to flatten the curve, so that hospitals aren’t overwhelmed by a massive number of COVID-19 cases all at the same time. Along those lines, before the shutter, Austin locations of Alamo had implemented buffer seats for seated parties.

Likewise, all locations of AMC Theaters are closed for at least six to 12 weeks (three in Austin) as well as Regal Cinema locations (two in Austin). Violet Crown, which includes a location in downtown Austin, is still open. It reduced its theater capacity by half and emphasized regular sanitization of everything.

• Goodbye for now. We’ll be back. [Alamo Drafthouse]
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