If the situation does not worsen and the number of Covid-19 patients does not increase, then museums could start working in two weeks, but at the end of the season theater performances with spectators would be organized, the Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis (NA) allowed.
In an interview with the LTV program “Rīta Panorāma”, he also immediately added that all the mentioned proposals are still in the work stage and are being evaluated by the working group of the Ministry, although the Ministry of Culture
“We evaluate the experience of other countries with pilot projects, thus offering a model to Latvia as well, although abroad there is a very cautious attitude towards organizing events indoors,” said the Minister.
However, he admitted that it might be possible to allow performances with spectators at the end of this season, although it is not yet known under what conditions this could happen. “I understand very well what the premiere means to the artists, so the ministry also appreciates the opportunity to watch them to a circle of critics, thus receiving an evaluation of the work done in return,” the minister added.
It has already been reported that from April 7, rehearsals of amateur art groups can take place in the fresh air, gathering no more than ten people, according to the government-supported amendments to the regulations “Epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection”.
The amendments state that restrictive measures have a significant impact on a wide range of service providers in the fields of entertainment, culture and sporting events, including cultural venues, museums, libraries, archives, concert venues, theaters and also cinemas. In the field of culture, a gradual resumption of activities is planned, following the criteria set by epidemiologists in several steps.
According to Lita Kokale, Head of the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Culture (MoC), in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in Latvia and prevent the transmission of the new, more infectious British strain, the government decided to maintain most of the security measures so far. April, taking the first step in changing security measures and allowing amateur movement groups, as well as interest and professional orientation cultural education participants in outdoor classes for groups of up to ten people.
Puntulis also emphasized that only consistent action, taking a step-by-step step, every three weeks to relax the security measures if the morbidity rate in the society decreases, or back to increase it if the prevalence of Covid-19 increases again.
The government also decided to allow face-to-face classes in practical dance at the Riga Ballet School, stipulating that the time of the class should not exceed 90 minutes and at least 35 square meters of space per person. As before, you can continue to visit the museum’s outdoor expositions in person, go to libraries to get books to take away, and buy books and other goods in bookstores.-
The first step of the government-backed amendments is to allow amateur art groups to rehearse outdoors from April 7, while the second step is that when the 14-day cumulative morbidity rate does not exceed 320 per 100,000 population, visits to museums, exhibition halls, libraries and cultural sites are planned individually. subject to security measures.
The third step stipulates that when the 14-day cumulative morbidity rate per 100,000 inhabitants does not exceed 250, it is planned to resume public activities in the open air, using a safe method of organizing cultural events already tested in the summer of 2020 – car or boat events. restrict the flow of visitors and comply with epidemiological safety measures. Indoor cultural activities could only be resumed at low disease risk.
– .
