In an abrupt about-face, the movie theater chain AMC said Friday it would require guests to wear face masks when its theaters reopen. Ceo Adam Aron earlier said it would not require people to wear the face masks.

The announcement prompted an intense and immediate outcry from our customers.’we now will require all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theatres,’ Aron said.

Aron said the chain would not require patrons to wear face masks because it’did not want to be drawn into a political controversy’.

Amc, the largest theater chain in the world, plans to reopen in 450 of its 600 us locations on July 15th with limited capacity. The company posted a $ 2.2 billion net loss in the first quarter and made’virtually no revenue’ in the last two weeks of March.

Several highly-anticipated movies are scheduled to debut in July, including Disney’s live-action mulan and Christopher Nolan’s tenet from Warner Bros… AMC rivals Regal cinemas and Cinemark both announced plans to reopen in phases, with Cinemark beginning as early as this week.

Chains like regal noted that it will not require patrons to wear masks unless mandated by local governments. Cinemark still has n’t changed its stance.

Alamo Drafthouse cinemas on Friday said it will require patrons to wear face masks when it reopens.’the safety of our teammates and guests can not be compromised. This is not political,’ the Alamo tweeted.

Let’s talk next week. Let’s chat next week. Let’s talking next week?. spines.

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) recommends that people in the US wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization also updated its guidance June 5th, calling for people to wear masks’on public transport, in shops, or in other confined or crowded environments’.

Some states, including California, have mandate people wear masks in public as businesses begin reopening. President Trump told the WSJ this week that he thought some Americans might be wearing masks as a way to’signal disapproval’ of him rather than as a protective measure.

The story originally stated AMC would not require masks. Amc changed its policies in response to the backlash. The story has been changed to reflect its new position.