BONITA SPRINGS, Fla -- Friday will bring the Southwest Florida community, and much of Florida, one step closer to rebounding.
We have officially entered Phase 2 of the governor's "SAFE. SMART. STEP-BY-STEP" plan to reopen (with the exception of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties).
That means a number of businesses will open their doors for the first time since the pandemic. This includes bars, pubs and movie theatres, to name a few.
Fox 4 is taking a look at how local businesses are overcoming the challenges of social distancing and strict sanitizing protocols, as we transition into Phase 2.
In order to move into Phase 2, businesses must have plans in place to ensure strict social distancing.
At The Prado Stadium 12 in Bonita Springs, that will start with the ticket buying process. When you buy tickets online, the theatre will let you pick your seats. It will then close off seating next to you, to keep you at a safe, six-foot distance from the next ticket-buyer. All tickets must be purchased this way. And so the theatre has waived all online convenience fees.
At the bar, it's normal 10-top seating has been reduced as well.
And as you're waiting in lines at the concession stand or ticket checker, expect to see stickers on the ground to encourage social distancing, similar to what you've seen implemented at essential businesses like the grocery store.
All guests will be required to be temperature checked before entering. The same goes for staff.
Another similarity to essential businesses we've already seen open is plexiglass, which has been installed to create a barrier between you and workers in areas like the concession stand.
Sanitizing protocols are another big requirement under the governor's Phase 2 guidelines for businesses to reopen.
The Prado Stadium 12 will be holding a soft reopening Friday. That means they'll be operating with a reduced number of showtimes, to allow more cleaning of the cinemas.
Each theatre is being sanitized with a hydrogen peroxide disinfectant fog. This is something the CDC has recognized as a safe and effective way to kill the coronavirus.
The soft opening will mean only seven of the 12 theatres will be open, and each theatre will be sanitized after every show.
Another way they're fighting off germs is by requiring all tickets be purchased online. No cash should be used. But if cash is your only option, a manager will handle that transaction and transfer it to a gift card.
Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the building. And frequently touched surfaces like counter tops, bathrooms and door handles will be cleaned frequently.
It may be a bit of a bummer, but there will be no refills at this time. This is just another way the theatre is working to fight germs.
The theatre is also recommending masks for all moviegoers and says you will see its cinema staff wearing them, along with gloves.
