Sunset Drive-In movie theater in SLO can reopen — here’s why that won’t happen right away
San Luis Obispo County’s only drive-in movie theater isn’t yet ready to reopen after closing due to the coronavirus outbreak — even though Public Health officials have given the business the go-ahead.
Sunset Drive-In off Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo is exploring ways to safely allow moviegoers to park and watch films while preventing the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
“We are aware that restrictions are being lifted for certain venues,” Sunset staff wrote in a post on the theater’s Facebook page. “At this time we are working on the Health Department requirements for the restroom safety for every individual that uses them.”
County Public Health officials on Wednesday said drive-in movie theaters, fabric stores and cleaning and janitorial services will be allowed to open, and houses of worship can hold drive-in services.
Sunset’s main issues will be finding ways to sanitize its restrooms and safely operate its snack stand, the Facebook posts says.
“Please remember that movie theaters make their income mainly thru the snack bar not the box office,” the post says.
The theater is exploring ways to disinfect restrooms after each customer uses them, which may involve building toilets or installing portable bathrooms.
“We don’t know who is sick or not,” the post says. “So after each use for safety they should be sanitized after each person. Hope this makes you understand and think how easy not doing it right could spread this HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VIRUS.”
