Northfield Movie Theater Closes Days After Defying NJ Law

NORTHFIELD, NJ — The credits are rolling on Tilton Square Theatre's brief reopening during the coronavirus pandemic. The movie theater reopened with safeguards June 5, defying the state's orders for movie theaters to remain closed.

But the theater announced on its Facebook page Thursday that it must close again.

"It is with great disappointment and frustration that we announce the forced closure of the Tilton Theater in Northfield," the post said. "We received an onslaught of citations and threats of legal action against us, despite providing a higher standard to keep our customers and our employees safe compared to other businesses that are permitted to operate."

The Tilton Theatre publicized its reopening last week. Governor Phil Murphy hasn't allowed movie theaters to reopen since their initial mid-March closure. But the Tilton Theatre cited the Center for Disease Control, which has guidance for large venues to operate under "strict physical distancing protocols."

Their safeguards included the following:

• sneeze guards at concession area
• customers must remain 6 feet apart while waiting for tickets
• groups that come in together can sit together, but they must stay 6 feet apart from other groups
• theater chairs were sanitized before and after every movie showing
• deep cleaning of the theater every night
• hand sanitizing stations throughout the concession area and hallways
• signage that says no one with a fever or coronavirus symptoms can enter the theater
• all customers must wear a face mask in the lobby. Once in the auditorium, they can be removed for enjoying concessions and the movie.

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