“In order for our sector to recover from the crisis, more people need to be vaccinated,” say representatives of the sector.
On August 3, when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that proof of Covid vaccination would be required for indoor activities – including theaters – theater owners remained silent. Behind the scenes, the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) began to consult with its members. A worrying increase in cases across the country due to the Delta variant outbreak had put a stop to their resumption of activity, while half of the American population is still not vaccinated.
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NATO has ruled, and will not take a position for or against this new measure, which will officially enter into force on September 13. No objection to Los Angeles’ proposal to follow New York’s footsteps either. “In order for our sector to recover from the crisis, more people need to be vaccinated, believes the director of the association, John Fithian, at Hollywood Reporter . Make no mistake: a lot of ticket sales will be lost in the short term. This will require us to adapt, but we will not oppose it, because people have to be vaccinated.»
One “Comfort rate” free fall
He expects the public to feel more reassured when he goes to dark rooms. An audit conducted by the National Research Group of the American public concluded that its “Comfort rate” the idea of going to the movies had plummeted in recent weeks. If it was 81% on July 11 – the maximum since the start of the health crisis – Monday, it was only 67%. This mistrust is reflected in the attendance figures. The superhero movie The Suicide Squad took the lead at the North American box office this weekend, but with modest revenue estimated at $ 26.6 million (€ 22.6 million).
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NATO, which represents hundreds of franchises, including the main chains, is now working with New York City authorities to define the terms of this new measure. In particular, the exceptions granted to children under 12, who are not yet eligible for vaccination, are debated. Bill de Blasio has indicated that unvaccinated children could join their families. “This is good news, but there are other questions to be answered. If you have had the Covid recently, and you are still immune, does it work? “, interroge John Fithian.
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This exception for children under 12 already applies in France, where the health pass has been in force in cultural places for three weeks. In the cinema, the drop in admissions observed in the first few days has been halted. Box office figures now invalidate the idea that the health pass would put the sector at risk. Thus the success of Kaamelott , released on July 21. The adaptation of the Alexandre Astier series on the big screen has already attracted 1.5 million spectators. Remained at the top of the box office since its release, the film has just been dethroned by OSS 117. Red alert in black Africa , on screens since August 4. The new adventures of Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath drew just over 200,000 spectators on the first day. And it has remained at the top of the starters ever since.
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