Regal River City Marketplace reopens, masks still required

The Regal River City Marketplace is back open for business, just a day after medical experts said fully vaccinated people could say goodbye to masks.

However, when you’re inside the theatre, Regal says you’ll still need to have a mask on.

A chart from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the safest activities, and theaters are classified as one of the least safe for people who are not fully vaccinated.

According to Regal, guests are still required to wear a face mask when they’re in the theater, lobby or restroom.

So far, 34.6% of Floridians have been fully vaccinated. Chad Nielsen of University of Florida Health says while there’s some leniency, people should still be careful.

“Obviously we know indoor crowded areas are still going to be the highest risk for transmission of COVID-19 amongst those not vaccinated,” he said.

The only times masks can be removed at Regal is when guests are eating and or drinking while watching the movie.

As for movie fan Brenda Jackson, she said she and her husband used to go every week until it closed; they’re happy to be back.

“I’m very happy, this is the only activity we had,” she told Action News Jax’s Ben Ryan. “Oh Lord, you made my day. Thank you Jesus.”

Regal says employees will be keeping an eye on each theater while movies are playing, as a new standard protocol.

Cox Media Group