Cruz County Honors Community’s COVID-Year Support CineLux Movies Are Back, By Jondi Gumz

COMMUNITY NEWS CineLux Movies Are Back

By Jondi Gumz

The movies are playing at the Capitola CineLux again after four months of COVID-19 shutdown, and opening March 26 at the Scotts Valley CineLux.

“I can’t tell you how happy we are to be opening,” Paul Gunsky, CineLux president, told the Times.

Capitola CineLux opened March 12 after Santa Cruz County moved from the state’s Purple Tier, which is the most restrictive for business, into the Red Tier, which allows theater operation with restrictions.

The response from the community has been “really gratifying,” Gunsky said. “It’s so nice to see guests come back.”

He’s invested in air filtration, Plexiglass barriers and auditorium sanitization for COVID safety but those who buy a ticket online will find the price is the same as before the pandemic, $10.75 general admission, $8.50 for kids 3-12 and adults 55 and up.

Concessions will have “welcome back” prices: $5 popcorn.

He said the movies coming out now are “higher quality,” like the epic action film, “Godzilla vs. Kong,” which reportedly cost between $160 million to $200 million to make.

As for employees, Gunsky said, “We rehired everyone who wanted to come back.”

He’s not at pre-pandemic staffing but he hopes to ramp up.

Movie-goers used to a crowded auditorium can expect a different experience, as state guidelines for the Red Tier — which the county has been in for three weeks — limit capacity to 25 percent.

In Capitola, up to eight people are allowed in the 40-seat auditorium.

“It’s perfect for a family,” Gunsky said.

Something new — it wasn’t offered prior to the pandemic — is a private watch party, which in Capitola has been “very, very popular,” he added.

Booking can be made online at www. CineLuxTheatres.com

In Scotts Valley, the auditoriums are larger, about 100 seats, so private rentals can be for up to 20 people.

In wake of the November COVID shutdown, his theaters pivoted to selling concessions.

The strategy to stay connected with patrons proved “very popular at both theaters. A lot of people came to support us,” he said, gratified to hear words of encouragement.

In these challenging times, “you do what you can to get back,” Gunsky said.

He had to be patient because his order for MERV 13 air filters, recommended to prevent spread of minuscule infectious virus particles, was waitlisted. Hospitals, schools and universities are all upgrading – and MERV 12 or 13 will not do the job.

If the county moves into the Orange Tier March 30, movie theaters are allowed to increase capacity to 50 percent, but Gunsky said he might not be able to reach that number because of the social distancing rules.

He’s watched the number of new COVID cases and hospitalizations slow to a trickle.

“We’re cautiously optimistic those numbers stay down,” he said.

Staying Safe at CineLux

Here are the CineLux policies for COVID safety:

Masks Required: Our employees must wear a face covering or mask. Patrons must wear a face covering at all times.

Those unwilling to wear a face covering will be denied entry.

Social Distancing: Appropriate physical distancing must be maintained at all times between patrons, except members of the same household or those attending together.

“CineLux” page 14

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“CineLux” from page 13 Staggered Show Times: This reduces crowding in the lobby, restrooms and provides easier exiting. Reduced Capacity: We have reduced our auditorium’s capacity to 25%. In addition we have blocked off every other row and our ticketing system will ensure spacing on either side of your selected seats. Air Filtration: Our HVAC systems are cycled continuously with fresh filtered air. Our HVAC systems have been equipped with MERV 13 air filters, the highest rated, which filter out virus carriers. Frequent Hand-Washing: Employees are trained on hand-hygiene practices, and are required to wash hands frequently at easily-accessible hand-washing stations. Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (EPA approved ethanol or isopropyl) will be liberally placed throughout the theater, including either at your auditorium entrance or inside the auditorium.

“COVID Update” from page 9

The county has moved from Phase 1A, healthcare workers and long-term care residents to Phase 1B, where 50,000 people working in agriculture, food service, education, child care, emergency services are eligible, but not all of them have been vaccinated.

Then state officials announced new job categories eligible for vaccines. These include transit workers, airport staff, custodians, janitors and housekeepers, disaster service workers, utility workers responding to disasters. Also, individuals who are medically high risk, incarcerated, homeless, staff serving these populations and volunteers with MyTurn.ca.gov, the new app where people can register to find out when they can get a vaccine.

Vaccine Hard To Get

Anyone who wants a vaccine appointment is advised to register at MyTurn.ca.gov but there is no guarantee of an appointment as the state keeps expanding eligibility ahead of available vaccine supplies.

Starting April 1, the state announced people age 50 and up will be eligible to make an appointment, and teens 16 and older will be eligible April 15.

With the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine now being delivered along with the two-shot Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the supply picture is expected to improve.

One new option in Santa Cruz County is Kaiser Permanente’s vaccine clinic at the Kaiser Arena in Santa Cruz, which gives members priority but allows non-members to register. (Full story on page 7). Enhanced Cleaning: Auditoriums are disinfected between movie screenings using an EPA-approved disinfectant.

High-touch surfaces are wiped down periodically with EPA-registered disinfectant.

Employee Health Training and

Screening: Our employees are trained on the signs and symptoms of

COVID-19. Staff members will have their temperature checked and a health screening at the start of their shift. Modified Concessions: We encourage credit cards or contactless payments.

Condiments are provided directly to guests. Guests will be provided a new container for refills on large popcorns and large fountain drinks. Mobile Ticketing: Tickets sales are available online to reduce the need to stand in line for tickets. Guests can simply display their mobile tickets upon entry. Personal Protection: Plexiglass barriers have been placed at guest service stations. n

OptumServe in Watsonville is expected to restart first doses in April.

To review where vaccine is being offered, such as CVS, RiteAid and Walgreens, check santacruzhealth.org and the vaccine button to see what’s available and who is eligible.

Availability can change at a moment’s notice.

Spring Break

Newel, the health officer, voiced concerns about spring break travel, reminding people that after a trip, you must self-quarantine for 10 days.

She said the county is aligned with the new state guidance for adults and youth sports, allowing baseball, softball, cheerleading, volleyball, kickball, and doubles pickleball, tennis and badminton outdoors.

Asked if a small dinner party could be hosted safely, Newel said a small party without face coverings in a private home could be safe “as long as everyone is vaccinated.”

She also cited new federal CDC guidance on grandparent visits. That guidance allows fully vaccinated grandparents to see their grandchildren indoors without masks or physical distancing provided that none of the unvaccinated family members are at risk of severe COVID-19.

To schedule a vaccine appointment, visit santacruzhealth.org or sign up at the state website, https://myturn.ca.gov. n

Photo Courtesy of Dignity Health ••• County COVID Deaths: 200

60 to 69: 27 • 50 to 59: 5 • 40 to 49: 6 30 to 39: 4 Race/Ethnicity

White: 111 • Latinx: 72 • Asian: 15 Black: 1 • Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1 Underlying Conditions Yes: 155 • No: 45 Gender Male: 91 • Female: 102

Skilled Nursing/Residential Care Santa Cruz Post Acute: 20 Watsonville Post Acute: 18 Pacific Coast Manor: 14 Hearts & Hands Post Acute: 8 Sunshine Villa: 7 • Aegis: 4 Maple House 1: 4 • Valley Convalescent: 4 Watsonville Nursing Center: 4

Montecito Manor: 3 • De Un Amor: 2

Dominican Oaks: 2 • Driftwood: 2

Hanover House: 2 • Maple House II: 2

Rachelle’s Home 1: 2 • Paradise Villa: 1

Rachelle’s Home II: 1 • Valley Haven: 1 Westwind: 1 Total: 102 Not at a facility: 98 COVID Cases by Town Aptos: 753 • Ben Lomond: 110

Boulder Creek: 140 • Capitola: 427 Felton: 142 • Freedom: 952

Santa Cruz: 3,627 • Scotts Valley: 397

Soquel: 334 • Watsonville: 7,905 Unincorporated: 244 Under investigation: 233 Total: 15,264

Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health •••

Editor’s Note: Would you like to share your family’s COVID-19 story? Email Jondi Gumz at info@cyber-times.com or call 831688-7549 x17.