Last week, Alberta Health Services temporarily closed drive-in movies in the province due to an increase in active cases of COVID-19. The province feared that the virus could spread through people chatting outside their vehicles.
However, that decision has been reversed after drive-in venues affirmed that they would offer their services safely. At least, the Grey Eagle Drive-in on the Tsuut’ina First Nation has said that it will reopen regardless of the province restrictions order.
The announcement of closure was a great disappointment to screening businesses that are always booked on weekends. Grey Eagle learned on Thursday that they had to cancel that night’s dirty dancing show.
The High River Sunset Drive-In in the High Rive also canceled their plan to rethink the province regulations. However, Grey Eagle Drive-in has reaffirmed that they will resume regardless of the provincial orders.
Grey Eagle will resume film screening on Wednesday after the Tsuut’ina Nation chief approved it to proceed. The tribal chief argued that the safety measures were sufficient. The chief has the power to determine what activities take place on the First Nation territories.
The group partnered with Super Vison and the Tsuut’ina Nation will build an outdoor theatre with massive screens, stage. Events such as comedy nights, car karaoke, movies, and drive-in live concerts will line up in the events schedule.
Alberta’s chief health official, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, gave the outdoor theatres an amnesty on Monday. He also affirmed that the health restrictions would be amended immediately. The news was a relief to operators such as the High River Sunset Drive-in.
