Cinema operators from Regensburg sour to Söders Sonderweg: "Schnitzel and roast pork are more important"

Created: 01/13/2022, 05:22 AM

Achim Hofbauer sharply criticizes Söder's corona rules.

© Alexander jewelry

Bavaria goes a separate way.

2G continues to apply in gastronomy, in cultural institutions you still need a negative corona test.

A cinema operator from Regensburg has sharply criticized this unequal treatment.

Regensburg - "I feel ripped off," says Achim Hofbauer. At the operator of the Garbo cinema, the oldest cinema in Regensburg *, the Bavarian special route with the Corona rules for gastronomy causes head shaking. Contrary to the agreement at the last Prime Minister's Conference, the 2G rule will continue to apply to Bavarian inns, pubs and restaurants in the future (access only for vaccinated and convalescent people) and not 2G plus, i.e. an additional negative corona test. “Of course I will allow the hosts to do that,” says Hofbauer. “But this unequal treatment really annoys me.” In Bavaria, the strictest Corona * rules apply to theaters, cinemas and other cultural events - 2G plus, mask requirement at the place, distances and a maximum occupancy of 25 percent.

Criticism of unequal corona rules: is roast pork more important than culture?

“Maybe I should just change the name to an inn with a film screening,” says Hofbauer annoyed.

Because no one could conclusively explain why he was only allowed to occupy 46 of his 185 seats and why people were allowed to go to the full pub after the performance without compulsory testing.

“There are studies that show that the catering industry has an at least potentially significantly higher risk of infection than cinemas.

A study from Great Britain recently demonstrated the low risk potential of cinemas, ”explains Hofbauer.

The fact that Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger - a regular advocate of gastronomy - has declared that “new scientific knowledge” is needed before the rules for culture can be defused is a slap in the face for Hofbauer.

"Apparently, schnitzel and roast pork are more important to such decision-makers than art and culture."

(By the way: Our brand new Regensburg newsletter informs you regularly about all the important stories from the world cultural heritage city. Register here.)

Cinema operator criticizes: "I would have nothing against 2G plus if I were allowed to occupy my cinema fully"

Hofbauer has little trouble with his audience.

“Most of them understand that I have to implement these measures and almost all of them come with a test.” He only had to send people home twice.

“But when I then have to listen to sayings like 'So you are also participating in 2G plus', then that annoys me.

It's not that we have a choice. "

For today's Wednesday, Digital Minister Judith Gerlach has invited to a round of talks with representatives of the cultural sector to discuss possible easing.

Hofbauer hopes that the Bavarian state government will give in there.

"I would have nothing against a 2G plus regulation if I were allowed to occupy my cinema to the full and this nonsensical mask requirement no longer applies."

Cinema operator criticizes Corona rules: "I pay extra every month"

Such relaxations are urgently necessary, according to the cinema operator. "January to March are the most important months in the cinema business." If he is only allowed to occupy a quarter of his seats, he will pay a lot more every month. "That is cushioned somewhat by the federal financial aid, but I don't want to live at the expense of the general public, I want to earn my own money."

After all: there is also a minimal relief for access to culture.

According to the new regulation, boosters are allowed to go to the cinema on the day of the booster vaccination without a test - previously this was only possible after a period of two weeks.

Hofbauer is not the only one who criticizes the restrictions in the cultural sector, the Association of Free Performing Arts in Bavaria (VfdKB) also sees the sector as severely disadvantaged.