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Alamo Drafthouse & Waterloo Records Implement Coronavirus Safety Measures

You can still go to the movies but there won’t be anyone right next to you

The Alamo Drafthouse Ritz location in Austin, Texas.

As the Coronavirus pandemic takes a massive toll across the nation, businesses are doing everything they can to help contain the spread of COVID-19 while still offering services and trying to stay afloat.

In Austin, two beloved brands are in the midst of that effort. Waterloo Records announced it is closing its doors temporarily to shoppers but implementing curbside service, provided by a small crew of employees at the store each day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, according to a press release. “Simply call us at 512 474 2500 to place your order and a staffer will bring your LP/CD/Video out to your vehicle,” the record store says. Only credit card payments will be accepted for this service but Waterloo suggests shopping their website as well to take advantage of free shipping for orders of more than $35.

“We encourage everyone to stay calm, use good judgment, and maintain social distancing in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the strain on our health care system,” Waterloo says. “Please stay safe. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Check-in with neighbors and the elderly. We’ll get through this as a community and have some good times real soon.”

Meanwhile, Alamo Drafthouse in Austin is still showing movies for now, but taking extra precautions and practicing social distancing by eliminating close seating at their theaters.

The Alamo Drafthouse Ritz location courtesy of Visit Austin.

“When you select seats, our system will automatically place a ‘buffer’ seat on either side of your selection,” according to a post on Coronavirus safety on their site and app. “These buffer seats will disappear, and then be made unavailable for other guests to purchase.”

In addition, theater seats, cup holders and tables are sanitized during cleanings before every show. Staff is wearing gloves while they work and have had training in how to properly wash hands.

“Every night our end-of-day cleaning team is disinfecting all hand-contact surfaces in guest-accessible areas (armrests, tables, door handles, counters, railings, benches, booths, faucets),” the movie house says. “In addition to nightly deep cleaning, our theaters are increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting all high-traffic areas throughout the day.  Door handles and box office counters are being disinfected at a cadence of every 30 minutes during business hours.”