Edward McKinley is reporting for the Times Union all Regal Cinemas nationwide will close indefinitely at the end of the day October 8. The company said the decision was mainly the result of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's COVID-19 rules that have kept theaters closed in New York. "As major U.S. markets, mainly New York, remained closed and without guidance on reopening timing, studios have been reluctant to release (their) pipeline of new films," a news release announcing the closures said. With the pipeline of new films blocked, Regal said it cannot draw in customers even in areas where theaters are open. There are 44 Regal Cinemas in New York, including in Albany, Colonie, East Greenbush, Clifton Park and Queensbury. The company employees 1,900 people. Regal Cinemas is the second largest theater chain in the country, with 536 locations and more than 40,000 employees. When speaking of Cuomo's decision to keep theaters closed, Ken Thewes, Regal's chief marketing officer, said, "It’s impacting people’s lives." Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said, "We're moving heaven and earth trying to stop a second wave and people need to acknowledge that we're still in a pandemic and start to act like it. We understand some people are unhappy but you know what? Better unhappy than sick or worse." Read the full story in the Times Union.