Drive-in theatre chain says Ontario reopening plan “unacceptable”

The head of Ontario’s largest drive-in theatre chain says the province’s latest reopening plan threatens the Canadian film industry and may put some exhibitors out of business.

Brian Allen, president of Toronto-based Premier Theatres, says “it’s absolutely unacceptable” that the province’s three-step plan prevents him from reopening his  physically distanced drive-ins before mid-June.

The latest guidelines, outlined Thursday, will allow outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, to reopen in the province Saturday.

Drive-in screens will have to wait longer, even though they enforce the use of masks and distancing measures.

They are part of Step 1, which will likely begin the week of June 14.

Indoor cinemas are part of Step 2, meaning they’ll stay closed for the majority of summer movie season in the province.

The new plan won’t allow them to open until late July at the earliest.

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