Tightening of the corona measures: Cinema operators are facing difficult weeks

Admission only with 2Gplus and for a maximum of a quarter of the actual number of visitors: Stricter rules apply in cinemas from Wednesday.

This is a problem for the operators.

District

- There is uncertainty among the cinema operators in the district.

They are allowed to keep their doors open - from today, however, only in compliance with the 2Gplus rule and only for a quarter of the actual number of visitors.

In view of the already tense situation, a heavy blow for the film houses, which are dealing with the new situation differently.

Georg Werner, operator of the Schongau warehouse cinema and the Starlight cinema in Weilheim, sees himself forced to temporarily cease operations due to the tightened measures.

He will lock both film houses up to and including December 15th - in the hope that things can continue afterwards under relaxed conditions.

It was precisely the requirement that only 25 percent of the spaces may be occupied that made him decide.

Only 25 percent occupancy allowed: Small cinemas suffer particularly

“This means that only eleven people are allowed in the warehouse cinema,” he explains. It's not worth it. "Then it's better if I close completely." In his Weilheim cinema, there would still be 25 armchairs available. “That wouldn't be such a problem. But nobody comes anyway. ”After all, going to the cinema is not exactly attractive if you have to be tested beforehand. “With 2G, people came and cinema was possible,” says Werner. He hopes that will be the case again from mid-December.

Markus Wenzl from KinoP in Penzberg has a different view of the coming weeks.

“We definitely don't do it,” the cinema operator said when asked by the local newspaper.

Although he also assumes that it will not lure many film lovers into his halls because of the mandatory testing.

"It is certainly not economical," he says.

Nevertheless, Wenzl wanted to keep his film house open as long as possible - also to send the clear signal: "Culture remains open."

Compulsory testing makes going to the cinema unattractive

How the new situation will affect the operation of the Trifthof cinema center in Weilheim is still unclear.

"We are still considering how to continue," says managing director Roswitha Zellner.

For the 600-seat cinema, the reduced occupancy is less of a problem.

Zellner is more concerned about the compulsory test for cinema-goers.

She also fears that the guests will be absent.

“If necessary, we have to lock up,” she says.