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| Healthcare workers sanitize Mapo Art Center in Seoul in this May 22, file photo. Yonhap |
Theaters welcome eased rules, yet some worry about further outbreaks
By Park Ji-won
Starting Saturday, theaters and cinemas will no longer need to reduce audience numbers during indoor performances as the government eased social distancing rules. This came as daily infection cases showed signs of slowing down with 100 or fewer infection cases in the metropolitan areas and around 30 in other regions.
When the Level 1.5 social distancing measures are implemented ― based on occurrence of more than 100 infection cases in the Metropolitan area and more than 30 infection cases in regional locations ― families, couples, or small groups of friends can sit next to each other but must sit separately from other groups.
Due to the spread of the coronavirus, strict rules have been implemented in the theaters since Aug. 16. Every theater and cinema was required to leave spaces between seats to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Those in the cinema and theater business are some of the hardest hit by the pandemic as the number of visitors has sharply fallen since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Data from the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System showed that sales from the theatrical sector for August were 15.9 billion won ― an 11.1 billion won decline compared to last year. But those of September, when the stricter measures were implemented, fell to 7 billion won.
Seventy percent of seats being filled is considered the break-even point for the industry, so theatrical companies largely welcomed the eased social distancing rules. But some are still worried about the spread of the coronavirus.
"We are happy with the eased rules. But things can change at any time if the number of cases increases," an official working for a theater company said.
Members of the public also had mixed reactions regarding the measure over fears it could increase the number of COVID-19 cases.
In July, the culture ministry launched its discount coupon program for travelers, planning to invest 90.4 billion won ($79.6 million) in the project, which aimed to revitalize domestic travel. However, it suspended its program after the spike of the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in August. Many have criticized the plan as it encourages more contact between people and thus raises the possibility of the virus spreading.
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