With the rise in COVID-19 cases, Europe is again taking serious action to contain the spread of the virus. After the cinemas initially closed in late February and reopened in June Italy is now ready to close the cinemas again from tomorrow. At the same time, Spain has approved a new national alert state and introduces a nationwide curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., although regions on both sides have an hour’s margin, reports El Pais.
The moves come after France extended a 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. curfew to numerous areas across the country last week.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced today that bars and restaurants will have to cease their daily operations from 6 p.m. on Monday. Cinemas, live theaters, arcades and discos will be completely closed. Once the hardest hit European nation, Italy became the first country to impose strict restrictions in early March as COVID-19 spread across the continent. The government is trying to avoid another full lockdown given the economic impact. A new daily record of 19,644 coronavirus infections and 151 deaths was set on Saturday.
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In Spain, the new state of alarm comes into force today and is expected to last until the beginning of May. However, the curfew is currently in effect for a period of two weeks, which could be extended. While the cinemas in the country aren’t closed, the curfew is affecting the box office. The market enjoyed success with Sony’s local title Padre No Hay Mas Que Uno 2, which was released in late July and grossed nearly $ 12 million there. Warner Bros’ tenet was $ 8.7 million as of last Sunday. New signing No Mataras raised $ 316,000 last weekend, but the top 10 fell to a total of $ 1.3 million, compared to $ 2.03 million the previous weekend.
Italy hosted a seamless film festival in Venice in early September, which is a powerful example of international industry gatherings in pandemic times. However, the market is still a long way from a strong 2019, boosted by the studios’ concerted efforts to program the summer. The top 10 films in Italy grossed $ 1.57 million last weekend, compared to $ 2.25 million in the previous frame.
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