Producers and world-renowned executives are very worried about the following: • Corona hysteria is intensifying, restrictions are constantly expanding, and it is unclear what the fate of shows, cinemas and theaters in Israel will be.

• Will the theaters and cinemas be empty?

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Coronary hysteria is growing, the number of people entering solitary confinement, the restrictions on the number of people who can gather together can get worse, and all this puts the entertainment market in the country into serious uncertainty: what about future shows? What will happen to artists who are supposed to come to Israel from abroad? Will the cinemas close, like in Italy and China? And what about the theaters?

Already this week, the producers and artists have been hit hard with many cancellations of celebrations and Purim parties. Employee events for most media outlets were postponed to other times, including the giant Netflix and Partner party, which was scheduled for Monday.

A Yes employees' event, with a performance by Moshe Peretz and Statik and Ben-El canceled; Two appearances by Eyal Golan for HOT and a land company were canceled. Lior Narkis' performance for Bezeq International employees was canceled, as was Sarit Haddad's performance and judgment for Max's employees.

In addition, many municipalities announced the cancellation of Purim events, including the traditional Adelaide in Holon, and Purim events in Givatayim, Ramat Gan, Carmiel, Modi'in and Herzliya.

A tremendous economic crisis

"We really don't know what will happen," says producer Shuki Weiss, who is responsible for much of the overseas performances coming to Israel. "We are currently following the guidelines with our colleagues abroad, analyzing the situation. We are all prepared to follow developments, and none of us have No idea what it will be.

"The Iron Maiden band is scheduled to perform in Israel on May 30. If there is some concern and if the band members should be isolated on arrival in Israel - they will not come. But before they get to Tel Aviv, they have shows in several countries in Europe and Asia, so they They will have to make decisions regardless of us. For a change, Israel is not the center of the mess, "he laughs." There is no doubt that there is a great concern about this corona issue. We already see that it hurts everything: tourism, aviation and certainly our field. Only here but all over the world. "

He said, "In terms of performances by local artists, there are currently no endangered performances. The big open season for open spaces usually starts around May onwards. In the meantime, up to 5,000 people are allowed to gather in a closed place, so we allow shows in the closed places that are Smaller.

"On a personal level, I propose not to panic, but there may be a tremendous economic crisis that I do not know its end. The derivative of this is that the world of culture is currently under a heavy black cloud."

The film industry, meanwhile, has not been hit by the Corona crisis, and despite the panic, Israelis seem to continue to go to the movies. "In the meantime, we do not see a decline in the number of people coming to the movies," says Moshe Edri, a senior member of the Israeli film industry and owner of the Cinema City network.

"Don't forget that these are small cinemas, not stadiums and huge halls. Today we no longer hold the large halls of yesteryear. So for us, there is currently no change and everything is normal.

"Well, we do fan the halls more, open the air conditioning systems earlier than usual and more frequently, so that there will be more air circulation. I hope we don't reach the stage where we have to restrict entry to the cinemas and find this solution quickly and quickly."

Turn to the government

The corona effect is already beginning to be felt in the Israeli theater. According to Noam Simmel, director of the Habima Theater, "There are cancellations of medical institutions such as a general health fund or a Maccabi health fund or hospitals that have booked entire shows, such as 'Mama Mia' or 'Hillafon Hill.' This is due to the ban on large conferences and on multiple participant lectures.

"On the individual level of theater viewers, there are cancellations. They are still not talking about essays, but they are beginning to feel it. I guess the public pressure is doing its thing.

"When I look forward - I really don't know what else will happen. We may drop the number of shows, we may cancel shows, and may find a vaccine and everything will calm down and end. In the meantime, we are closely watching what is happening and obeying instructions."

The Israeli Producers Association held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the situation, and calls on the government to help. "Panic was created here," says Producer Association chairman Yoni Pengold. "It doesn't amount to a ban on convening more than 5,000 people. There is a big drift in the field of events and there is a wave of cancellations in the field of corporate and conference events.

"The reports we get from coaches are starting to feel a slowdown. Naturally, people are worried about going to events. We want the government to address the economic side of the Corona as well, not just the health side. There are sectors that are affected and need to help them get through the situation. I'm not talking about Compensation, but in the world, there are funds that give loans and talk to the financial establishment to allow small companies to survive the period. "