Belgian cinema operators fear serious consequences now that they are no longer allowed to offer drinks and food to their visitors.
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During the press conference after the Consultation Committee, last Friday, it became clear that current corona agreements for indoor activities will continue to apply, but that a ban on the sale of drinks and food will be introduced. This also applies to cinemas, which are no longer allowed to sell drinks and snacks since Monday morning. That was allowed last week. Visitors were allowed to take off their mouth masks to eat or drink while watching the film.
The cinema operators point out in a communiqué on Monday that the sale of drinks and snacks “has become of vital importance for the survival of the cinema”. “These government measures lead to economically unlivable conditions with dramatic consequences,” says the Federation of Cinemas of Belgium. She talks about “a completely outrageous measure”.
A drink and / or a snack is part of the cinema experience for many film lovers, the managers say. “In addition, the margin on cinema tickets, after deduction of costs, has become extremely small and the income from advertising has been severely restricted.” Since the reopening in July, the necessary efforts have been made, and those efforts were appreciated: almost 9 in 10 experienced a cinema visit as safe.
The cinemas were closed in March during the first corona wave in our country. The cinemas opened their doors again on 1 July.
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