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CCSA To Discuss Entertainment Venues’ Gradual Reopening

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said it would discuss a gradual reopening for cinemas and other entertainment venues during a general meeting scheduled for Monday, September 27.

CCSA assistant spokesperson Apisamai Srirangsan revealed yesterday that the CCSA general meeting would analyze various proposals from the Public Health Ministry, including reopening some venues such as cinemas, bars, live music venues, theaters, nightlife, and more.

But Dr. Apisamai insisted that their reopening would be carried out in the most gradual, stable, and safe way possible if the plan is approved. Moreover, she explained that each province and area might apply within a different period, depending on whether they are ready to reopen or not.

However, unlike authorized openings in 2020 and January this year, the entertainment sector would not open entirely at once but in staggered and safe steps.

The plan “may not be applied at the same time nationally and will be based on not just cases but vaccination levels and hospital capacity.

If any province is not ready, then don’t rush,” Dr. Apisamai said, adding: “But if they are ready, they can do so. If all sectors agree to cooperate like this, then we will definitely get through this crisis together in the long run.”

Thai authorities ordered cinemas and entertainment venues’ closure on April 10, 2020, after detecting important Covid-19 clusters in Thong Lor and construction worker camps in Bangkok.

Since then, Thailand’s major cinemas, nightlife business owners, and musicians have struggling to deal with the health crisis and its economic consequences, posting huge losses.

The “Major Cineplex,” one of Thailand’s leading cinemas, lost a total of 527 million baht due to market instability in 2020. A year later, in the first quarter of 2021, it lost 120 million baht more.

However, as vaccination rates rise and Covid-19 infections and fatalities progressively decline, the government has started talking about reviving the entertainment industry for the first time in six months.