The movie theater industry barely survived the quarantine times last year even with state support, so with the introduction of restrictions this summer, business is counting on state aid, said Oleg Berezin, chairman of the Association of Theater Owners, during a press conference.

Earlier, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation issued a document stating that cinemas and federal theaters in Moscow will be able to let in more than 500 spectators, if QR-code pass is introduced. The Vologda region suspended the operation of cinemas and theatres for a month, while Buryatia closed cultural institutions due to the declaration of a lockdown in the republic.

"Whether a business survives largely depends on the state's position in the end. We as cinemas had a very hard time last year. But last year the state helped us, we received subsidies of 22.1 billion rubles. This time we see that the executive authorities do not talk about any support and protection measures for entrepreneurs. In fact, the problem of mass vaccination is being solved via private businesses," Berezin said.

The second issue pointed out by the expert is that each region has its own way of doing things. For example, Buryatia imposed quarantine, the Vologda region has closed cinemas, and in Moscow, Moscow Region, Bashkortostan and Nizhny Novgorod introduced QR codes.

"Everywhere is different requirements and conditions ... In Bashkiria after such measures, attendance has fallen 5-6 times, these are already real figures. If it goes on like this, then there is a question why to keep cinemas open at all," he said, adding that in this case the position of regional authorities is important, who should see entrepreneurs as allies and provide support to business.

"For example, if the mayor of Moscow had said that we are imposing such restrictions, but we see you as allies and we are ready to support you, that would have been one approach. Now we see that we are simply being told to vaccinate our employees, forget about the voluntariness," Berezin explained.

The next problem, in his opinion, stems from a lack of understanding of why the restrictions apply specifically to catering and movie theaters. "The question arises why restaurants, water parks, cinemas, but not shops and public transport. Let's then introduce this segregation and such filters everywhere. Why not everywhere?" - The expert shared.

"I think people who didn't go to the cinema but are sitting in the bus bit are more at risk. Again, this suggests that this problem is simply passed on to businesses," concluded the representative of the association.

Made in Russia // Made in Russia

Authors: Ksenia Gustova