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The UK-based company had previously expected to
start reopening theatres, which include Regal Cinemas in the
United States, on July 10, but a number of important markets,
such as Los Angeles and New York, have not yet given the
go-ahead.
Hollywood studios have also pushed back the debut of new
releases, with "Mulan" and "Tenet" for example now scheduled
only for August.
Shares in Cineworld, which had lost almost three quarters of
their value this year due to the coronavirus crisis, were
trading up 2.8% by 0925 GMT. The company is the world's second
largest cinema chain after AMC Entertainment <AMC.N> .
AMC has also pushed back its reopening date in the United States
by two weeks to July 30.
The crisis has forced cinemas across the world to close their
doors after governments imposed lockdowns to prevent the spread
of the disease.
Even as cinemas prepare to welcome back film fans, the
experience will be different as social distancing measures will
be in place for the screenings.
Cineworld expects its cinemas to fill up to half capacity when
they reopen.
The company, which has 7,178 of its 9,500 screens in the United
States, made more than two-thirds of its overall revenue from
the region last year.
AMC's UK arm Odeon Cinemas and premium cinema group Everyman
Media <EMANE.L> have said they plan to reopen from July 4, as
Britain eases more of its restrictions.
Odeon said it will have pre-packaged food and drinks and vacant
seats between guests when it reopens.
(Reporting by Paul Sandle and Muvija M; editing by Sarah Young
and Keith Weir)
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