LOS ANGELES, California: Three major movie theater chains in the United States – AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, and Regal Cinemas – have ended mask requirements for ticket holders who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

“In accordance with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, masks are not required for guests who are fully vaccinated,” AMC said on its website.

Moviegoers who are not fully vaccinated will have to continue to wear face coverings “throughout the theater unless actively enjoying food or drinks”, it added.

As per the new guidelines, posted by the three theater chains on their websites, social-distancing measures and cleaning protocols will continue to be enforced.

However, they said they would follow state and local requirements on masks, which could be at variance with the CDC guidelines issued two weeks ago, which allow fully vaccinated people to remain without masks in any setting.

Following a prolonged closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, movie theaters recently began receiving an increasing number of visitors.

To encourage moviegoers to head back to cinema halls, movie studios and theater chains last week launched a “big screen is back” campaign, promoting the return of the latest installment in the Fast & Furious franchise to theaters, along with the superhero film Black Widow.

Film studios are also gearing up to track the response to two major movies that will be released this weekend – Cruella and A Quiet Place Part II.