After facing online backlash for its decision to not require moviegoers to wear masks upon reopening, AMC Theatres has altered its stance.

"At AMC, we have been consulting with top scientists and health experts to create a broad, sweeping, far-reaching health and safety effort to make AMC Theatres safe for our guests and associates when our theatres reopen in July," the theater chain said in a statement. "Among many elements of that comprehensive plan was a requirement for our associates all to wear masks nationwide, as well as a requirement for our guests all to wear masks in the many parts of the country that will require it. In those areas of the country where masks will not be required, we nonetheless planned to strongly encourage mask usage by guests, and fully expected that the vast majority would do so.

"This announcement prompted an intense and immediate outcry from our customers, and it is clear from this response that we did not go far enough on the usage of masks," the statement continued. "At AMC Theatres, we think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests. Accordingly, and with the full support of our scientific advisors, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy. As we reopen theatres, we now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theatres. The speed with which AMC moved to revise our mask policies is a reflection of our commitment to the safety and health of our guests."

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After three months of being shut down due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, AMC is expected to open at least 450 of its 600 theaters in mid-July. However, the company's initial decision to not require its patrons to wear protective facemasks led to #BoycottAMC trending on social media. AMC did note that it would make masks available for purchase at its theaters, though, and reiterated this in its latest statement.

Given the severity of coronavirus spreading, especially in mass gathering locations like movie theaters, wearing masks remains the safest way to prevent outbreaks. That said, Rival theater chains Regal and Cinemark have implemented similar rules to AMC's initial stance where moviegoers are encouraged to wear masks and can be required to do so by local officials, but it won't be mandated. Cinemark also plans to sanitize public spaces every half-hour and add a "Chief Clean and Safety Monitor" to each theater location, while Regal moviegoers will have to leave empty seats between groups.

Regal plans to begin reopening its cinemas July 10, while Cinemark will have all of its theaters open by July 17. Major theatrical releases expected for that month include Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, the Russell Crow film Unhinged and Disney’s Mulan.

KEEP READING: AMC Reopening Plans Do Not Involve Any Universal Films – Yet

(via CNET and THR)