Italy is facing another resurgence of Coronavirus deaths that has prompted a return to more strict safety measures being implemented throughout the country. While the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, stopped short of announcing a full lockdown, his new plan will force Italian theaters to close until November 24.This decision was not unexpected, given the rise of cases and deaths, but Italy’s own organization of exhibitors protested it regardless, arguing the closure would have a “devastating” impact.
The daily infections in Italy broke a new record of 21,273 infections and 128 deaths, prompting the Prime Minister’s decision. These new measures will enforce a nightly curfew, make bars and restaurants close after 6pm, and shutter theaters, gaming halls and gyms completely. Theaters had re-opened in Italy back in June using new social distancing guidelines, but were struggling to do even 25% of their pre-pandemic business.
Italy was one of the earliest European countries to get hit by the pandemic and one of the first to go into full lockdown protocols. As a result, it had seemed like the situation was finally clearing up enough to loosen restrictions and allow people to move around freely again. Movie theaters in particular, facing a lack of big budget film draws, have been relying on more local films to help prop-up their numbers. The Associazione Nazionale Esercenti Cinema (ANEC) fears that the decision to close theaters could destroy their already suffering business, and have written to the government in protest.
In an open letter to the Prime Minister, ANEC wrote that extending the closures beyond November 24 would amount “to a death sentence for Italy’s entire exhibition sector.” In response to concerned citizens, Conte has assured businesses that the lockdown is simply an attempt to flatten the curve before Christmas rolls around. The idea is that, as cases spike yet again, it is important to reduce the number of infections happening now, so that business can be open for the lucrative holiday season. The theaters of Italy however, are still worried that lockdown will be extended beyond their ability to survive.
Source: Variety
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