New York City movie theaters to reopen

NOAM GALAI/GETTY IMAGES
A view of the Regal Loews Cinemas movie theater in Times Square in New York City

Movie theaters in New York City will partially reopen next month, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced, the latest easing of coronavirus restrictions in the Big Apple.

Cuomo said cinemas will be able to operate at 25 percent capacity, or up to 50 people per screen, from March 5 – almost exactly a year since they shut, AFP reported.

"Assigned seating, social distancing and other health precautions will be in place," Cuomo wrote on Twitter.

Officials closed movie theaters on March 17 last year as COVID-19 began ravaging America's commercial capital, where the disease has now killed almost 29,000 people.

Cuomo has been gradually easing restrictions in New York City in recent weeks as positivity rates fall.

Limited indoor dining returned on February 12, with restaurants allowed to seat customers indoors at 25 percent capacity.

New York City's seven-day rolling average of positive test results is hovering above the four percent mark, down from more than six percent in early January, according to state figures.