Update: All SLO County movie theaters close in response to coronavirus
Update, 1 p.m., March 20
Park Cinemas in Paso Robles will be closed until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak, the movie theater announced via email Thursday.
Galaxy Colony Square Theatres in Atascadero is closed for business through April 17, according to its website.
Morro Bay’s Bay Theatre had its last showing Wednesday night before closing temporarily “due to the shelter-at-home order,” the theater said in a Facebook post Wednesday.
Original story:
It’s a tough time for San Luis Obispo County moviegoers.
Days after the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival was canceled “in accordance with state health guidelines surrounding the impacts of coronavirus,” local movie theaters began closing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Sunday, San Luis Obispo’s Palm Theatre announced via Facebook it was closing its doors until further notice.
“We feel it is the most responsible action to take in protecting the health and safety of our patrons, staff and community,” the arthouse movie theater said. “We will re-open when it is safe to do so and will keep you informed as much as possible.”
Other local theaters have also announced closures, including Downtown Centre Cinemas in San Luis Obispo.
On Monday, Regal Cinemas announced it was shutting all 542 movie theaters, including its Arroyo Grande location, starting Tuesday “as a precaution.” The company, which also operates two theaters in Santa Maria, did not provide a reopening date.
The Sunset Drive-In in San Luis Obispo has closed “until the (federal Centers for Disease Control) issue an all clear to go back to business as we know it,” the movie theater announced via Facebook on Monday.
“We will also be posting information for the Sunday Super Swap Meet in the next few days as we find out what is the best thing to do,” the Sunset Drive-In said.
Arroyo Grande’s Fair Oaks Theatre also closed Monday, it said via Facebook.
The movie theaters join a growing number of bars, clothing stores, food shops and other local businesses that are shutting their doors in response to coronavirus.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Bay Theatre in Morro Bay, Galaxy Colony Square Theatres in Arroyo Grande and Park Cinemas in Paso Robles remained open.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Update: All SLO County movie theaters close in response to coronavirus."
