The head of the Bez zábradlí Theater, actor and director Karel Heřmánek called on Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) and Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch (for ANO) to close the theaters. In a letter addressed to them, Heřmánek stated that the actors are currently the most endangered group and that they are not protected against other employees by government measures.
He then told ČTK that he was afraid of older actors and that he did not want to be responsible for their health. However, in response to Heřmánek’s private letter, which appeared in the media, the Association of Professional Theaters stated that this was a unique position that has no support among other theaters. This was confirmed by the Association of Independent Theaters.
“Auditoriums are safe for spectators. Concern for actors and employees is as understandable as concern for business. This situation threatens the future of all theaters, but continuing with restrictions is a more sensible attitude for the future of culture, society and economy,” Stanislav ČTK, chairman of the Association of Professional Theaters Moša, who is also the director of the Brno City Theater.
In the letter, Heřmánek stated that all residents are protected in workplaces and public spaces by a number of government regulations and measures, but actors are not. He states that, as the director of the theater, he does not want to endanger the health of his older colleagues.
According to the currently valid regulations, theaters can perform under hygienic conditions. Most of the scenes offer the spectators disinfection in all common areas, the vast majority of spectators respect the requirement to wear veils during the performance. Actors do not have to have them, but in some productions they come into contact with the audience, have them available and put them on.
The number of newly confirmed cases of covid-19 in the Czech Republic has been growing rapidly recently, with Prague reaching the highest level of infection risk for the first time. Today, Babiš did not rule out the possibility that a state of emergency could be declared again.
–
