Official: new dpcm, closed cinemas and theaters. Franceschini: painful but necessary

Practically a near-lockdown. To no avail were appeals from the world of culture with requests to avoid closures: the new dpcm, approved in the night (the news was made known a few minutes ago), comes down on cinemas and theaters by imposing total closure starting tomorrow, Oct. 26, and until Nov. 24.

“Performances open to the public in theaters, concert halls, movie theaters and other spaces, including outdoor spaces, are suspended,” reads the final text. Other important measures: compulsory wearing of masks everywhere, including outdoors (except in cases where, due to the characteristics of the places or the factual circumstances, the condition of isolation from non-cohabiting persons is continuously guaranteed), possibility of closing streets and squares after 9 p.m., suspending individual and team sports events (with the exception of national professional or amateur competitions), suspending the activities of gyms and swimming pools, suspending all contact sports, suspending the activities of amusement arcades, betting halls, bingo halls and casinos, and suspending all conventions. However, museums and churches will remain open, and Masses will be allowed to continue in churches.

Still, stores will be allowed to stop only for the time necessary to purchase goods, and food service activities (bars, pubs, restaurants, ice cream parlors, pastry shops) may open only from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., also after 6 p.m. the consumption of food and beverages in public places and open to the public is prohibited (allowed until midnight take-out with a ban on consumption in the vicinity of the premises). Personal service activities (such as hairdressers and beauty salons) remain open, however.

Cultural Heritage Minister Dario Franceschini commented on Twitter on the news of the closure of cinemas and theaters as follows, “A pain the closure of theaters and cinemas. But today the first priority is to protect the life and health of everyone, with every possible measure. We will work for the closure to be as short as possible, and as and more than in the past months we will support the businesses and workers of culture.” The owner of the Roman College is receiving a deluge of criticism, since cinemas and theaters have proven to be safe places and have invested in the past months to safely open to the public, and from the environment the closure measure is perceived as exaggerated and not justified by sound scientific reasons.

Official: new dpcm, closed cinemas and theaters. Franceschini: painful but necessary

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