The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts is pictured Monday afternoon on East Third Street in Jamestown. The theater is slated to resume showing movies either by the end of the month or early April. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

It could soon be showtime for local movie theaters as New York state continues to ease gathering restrictions and more COVID-19 vaccines are administered.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown is expected to resume showing movies by the end of this month or, at the very latest, in early April. Len Barry, director of marketing and communications, said a few movies could be shown each week to start, with a firm date and movie listing expected to be released in the coming weeks.

To ensure the safety of moviegoers, the Reg Lenna will tape off every other row inside the theater to comply with 6-foot social distancing mandates. There will also be hand sanitizing stations and no-contact ticket purchasing options.

Because there aren’t too many “first-run” movies currently out from the major studios, Barry said the Reg may show a mix of classic and newer movies.

“We’re excited,” Barry said of bringing back patrons and employees who help run the theater. “I’m sure it’ll be a relief for many who have had to stay at home and stream things, which we’ve all gotten used to.”

Lakewood Cinema 8.

In September, County Executive PJ Wendel, state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, and Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist toured the Reg Lenna. At the time, officials had hoped the state would take a region-by-region approach to ease restrictions on certain venues, including theaters.

Though the state allowed theaters outside New York City to reopen in October at 25% capacity with a maximum of 50 people per screen, local movie theaters remained closed due to high COVID positivity rates, especially in Erie and Chautauqua counties near the holidays. Those rates, like many key virus statistics such as active cases and hospitalizations, have come down in the last month.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced recently that beginning April 2, arts and entertainment venues could reopen at 33% capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors.

“New Yorkers have done a tremendous job working to defeat COVID, and we’re gradually loosening restrictions as the numbers reduce and the public health improves,” Cuomo said. “It’s clear that if we remain vigilant, we will reach the light at the end of the tunnel. While we continue to expand access to the vaccine throughout the state, New Yorkers should double down on the behaviors that make such an important different fighting this pandemic–washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing. This is a tough footrace, but the infection rate is down and the vaccination rate is up, and New Yorkers will get through this together as long as we stay touch and keep this momentum heading in the right direction.”

For the Reg Lenna, that means 100 people will be permitted inside the East Third Street theater by April 2.

Other local movie theaters may soon reopen as well.

Bryan Spokane, vice president of Dipson Theatres, told The Post-Journal on Monday that the Buffalo-based chain is hoping to open its Lakewood Cinema 8 location the first week of May. “That’s the goal,” said Spokane, though he noted there are several factors that will go into the decision. He said Dipson is looking for capacity to be raised to 50%, as well as new movies being made available to show. “It all comes down to the product — the biggest issue will be the product.”

Dipson operates three local theaters: Lakewood Cinema 8, the Chautauqua Mall Cinema I and II and Warren Mall Cinemas.

At the moment, the Lakewood movie theater has been available for private showings.

“We’re super excited and super positive to get everyone back to work and to be back open,” Spokane said. “Some of our employees have moved on, but we’re fortunate to have some dedicated managers who are still with us. It’s very exciting.”

In Dunkirk, the Spotlight Cinemas remain closed.

Meanwhile, theaters in New York City were allowed to reopen Friday. According to the Associated Press, less than half of movie theaters are open nationwide, but reopenings are quickening.