Will Drive-In Movie Theaters Soon Provide Americans a Much-Needed Night Out?
A nostalgic staple of 1950s–60s America might provide a valuable escape from the current stay-at-home situation if U.S. officials allow it.
Drive-in theaters, once a common form of entertainment here and abroad — mostly in rural areas — are already experiencing a resurgence in some areas of Europe and Asia as people look for safe distractions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal guidelines do not specifically mention drive-in theaters, but state governments may choose to allow them to open since they are functionally so different from typical movie theaters. Drive-in movie-goers can easily maintain a safe distance from others outside of their own vehicle.
On April 12, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he was considering allowing drive-ins to reopen while keeping regular theaters shuttered.
(photo credit: Hagerty)
