As the coronavirus continues to exert pressure on the film industry, Cineworld, the world’s second largest theater operator, said on Sunday that it is considering temporarily closing all its theaters in the United States and the United Kingdom, but has not yet made a final decision.
“We can confirm that we are considering temporarily closing cinemas in the UK and the US, but the final decision has not been reached. Once a decision is made, we will notify all employees and customers as soon as possible,” the company said in a statement.
MGM canceled the November premiere of James Bond’s new film on Friday, which is one of the few remaining blockbusters on the 2020 release schedule.
As the current situation continues, Cineworld’s Regal Entertainment Group (Regal Entertainment Group) may close all operations in the United States.
The London-listed group may suspend operations of its UK venues as early as this week, and will write to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson this weekend, warning that the delay in the blockbuster release has made the industry unable to survive.
The new crown epidemic has hit consumer confidence. The UK economy has been hit hardest in Europe, shrinking by more than 20% in the first half of the year. In the summer, after bars, restaurants, and movie theaters reopened, the number of infections surged again, and the threat of re-imposing restrictions dashed hopes for a rapid rebound.
The closure of British cinemas may be announced as early as Monday, and this may put as many as 5,500 jobs at risk. Cineworld’s plan to close American theaters is not yet clear, and the final decision may not be made until Monday or Tuesday.
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