When movie theaters reopen in the Lehigh Valley, plan to have some protocol with your popcorn.

In an update, among first-run movie theaters, AMC Cinema, which had announced plans to open its movie theaters July 15, has pushed back its reopening to July 30, with its 600 theaters in the United States to be in full operation by early August, AMC CEO Adam Aron said in a June 29 statement.

Regal Cinema, which had announced plans to reopen its multiplexes July 10, has pushed back its reopening date until July 31, according to its website.

As of deadline, the only new theatrical movie scheduled to open in July is “Unhinged,” starring Russell Crowe, but it also has been pushed back, from July 10 to July 31.

One reason for the delay in the reopening of the multiplexes is because the opening of what’s expected to be a summer blockbuster, Disney’s “Mulan,” which premiered in Hollywood March 9, was to open March 27, had its opening pushed back to July 24, has been pushed back to Aug. 21.

As of deadline, reopening dates for New Vision Tilgham 8, Movie Tavern Hamilton Crossings, Frank Banko Cinemas, Steelstacks, Bethlehem, and Civic Theatre of Allentown, have not been announced.

Movie theaters have been closed for nearly three months in the Lehigh Valley. Most closed March 17.

Theater owners are following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic protocol of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as that of state governments and local municipalities.

In Pennsylvania’s Green Phase, gatherings are limited to 250 or fewer.

Safety and health procedures have been announced by AMC, set to reopen its theaters in waves, starting July 30, and Regal, set to begin reopening its theaters July 31.

AMC

Employees: Employees’ temperatures will be taken before starting shifts. Employees must wash their hands routinely for at least 20 seconds and will wear face masks.

Box office: Credit, debit and AMC gift cards payments are preferred.

Lobby: Movie-goers must wear face masks as they enter. Disposable masks will be available for $1. In the auditorium, masks may be removed.

Movie-goers are to maintain social distancing before, during and after the movie. Signs will be posted throughout the building for guidance.

Hand-sanitizer stations and disinfecting wipes are positioned throughout the building.

Directional signs and reminders will be posted throughout the building.

Concession stand: Cash will not be accepted at the concession stand or the bar. Selections are temporarily reduced to ensure shorter lines and quicker service. Large popcorn and large fountain drink refills are unavailable. Napkins, lids, straws and condiments are available by request.

Auditorium: Auditoriums will be reduced to 30 percent capacity or less, based on municipality guidelines. In auditoriums with traditional seating, every other row is blocked off. In auditoriums, including those with recliner seats, an empty seat is to left open between one movie-goer and another.

Common areas and high touch points will be disinfected throughout the day.

There will be extra time between screenings so that auditoriums can be cleaned between each show time.

Electrostatic disinfectant sprayers and vacuums with HEPA ?lters will now be used throughout each building.

HVAC filters have been upgraded to MERV 13 wherever possible.

Regal

Employees: Employees will have daily health screenings, including temperature checks where mandated, must wash hands at minimum every 30 to 60 minutes, dependent on job role, and wear face masks.

Box office: Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Regal mobile app.

Lobby: Movie-goers must wear face masks in the lobby, hallways and restrooms. Movie-goers can remove face masks inside the auditorium.

Greeters will be in the lobby to assist movie-goers with procedural changes.

Floor markers will be placed throughout the building to assist with social distancing.

Movie-goers are encouraged to go to the auditorium as soon as possible, and exit the theater in a timely manner at the conclusion of the movie.

Wall-mounted sanitizer dispensers are at each side of the main entrance.

Vending machines and water fountains are not available.

Where required by local governance, arcade games will be closed.

Concession stand: Concession items may be purchased from the app. Every other register will be closed in order to maintain social distancing. A reduced menu will be temporarily available. Self-service condiment stands are closed. Refills on large drinks and popcorn are suspended. Locations with bars are open for walk-up service only.

Auditorium: Locations that have diners, restaurants and in-theater ordering are temporarily suspended. Where required by state or county mandate, auditorium capacities will be reduced to 50 percent.

The reservation system will maintain two empty seats between groups (one seat at recliner locations) in order to maintain social distancing.

At theaters where performances are non-reserved, two seats are to be maintained between groups.

Group sizes will only be limited where required by a state or county mandate.

Employees will sanitize every auditorium and seat after each movie using electrostatic ULV Fogger equipment.

Each theater will be sanitized at high-contact points on an increased schedule.

See you at the movie theater, with my face mask on.