The Hauptverband Deutscher Filmtheater e.V. explains how the latest corona rules threaten to exacerbate the "dramatic situation" in cinemas.
Germany is in the middle of the second corona wave, which has already tightened the contact restrictions that have since been relaxed. In addition to gastronomy and the hotel industry, the cinema industry is also suffering from the measures. The Hauptverband Deutscher Filmtheater eV [Main Association of German Film Theaters] in Person from CEO Christine Berg in an interview with the news agency spot on news revealed.
"The current corona regulations are also an extreme challenge for the cinema industry" because they "continue to result in a completely inconsistent situation". For example, there is no "blanket mask requirement on the site," explains Berg. Explanation: The "hotspot strategy" of Angela Merkel and the heads of government provides that "with an incidence of 35 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in one week, a supplementary mask requirement will be introduced in public spaces where people come closer and / or longer . "
Cinemas are safe
On the part of the HDF, too, “the current pandemic developments are viewed with concern”, but: “We generally warn against issuing further hasty regulations that – such as the ban on accommodation in the hotel industry – do not withstand legal checks, but nevertheless cause damage through this alone that they first and foremost damage people's trust in the safety of event locations such as cinemas. "
Berg rejects the fact that there is an increased risk of becoming infected in cinemas by referring to an independent study. Due to the ventilation systems "and the fact that there is hardly any talk in the hall", the aerosol concentration in the cinema is very low. "There is not a single known case of a Covid infection that is related to a visit to the cinema. Apart from that, chains of infection in the cinema would be traceable at any time by carefully recording the visitors – significantly better than in private surroundings."
As an example of "hasty regulations", Berg cites: "Should there be a blanket ban on food and beverages, the cinemas would be deprived of an elementary part of their economic basis. It would worsen the financial difficulties of the cinemas even more and accelerate possible bankruptcies. That can not be the goal. "