No more cinema or shows at least until January 10
The ax falls again on the cultural community, already severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. From 5 p.m. on Monday, all theaters and cinemas will be closed.
These measures are part of the new health restrictions announced by Minister of Health Christian Dubé at a press conference on Monday.
These cultural venues will remain closed until at least January 10. “This is the date that was mentioned in a private briefing ,” specifies David Laferrière, chairman of the board of directors of the RIDEAU association, which brings together 350 theaters in Quebec.
The closure of theaters and cinemas comes four days after the announcement of the reduction to 50% of their gauges. The surge in cases has prompted the government to tighten the rules even further.
The spokesperson for the Association of independent Quebec theaters (ASSIQ) and president of Club Soda, Michel Sabourin, welcomes ” with relief ”this announcement.
“We spent the weekend calling all ticket holders to reduce the capacity. At least we now know what to expect, “he said.
Mr. Laferrière, who is also director of the Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault in Saint-Jérôme, shows solidarity with the new restrictions, even if they hurt his sector.
< p> Under the circumstances, it was the right thing to do. It shows the magnitude of this wave. We will keep our world and our creators safe.
David Laferrière
Federal help with closures
Ottawa announced support programs for individuals and businesses to help them cope with new closures due to new outbreaks of the COVID-19. The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit will provide $ 300 per week to eligible workers who cannot work due to lockdown until May 7, 2022.
The & nbsp; Support program in the event of local confinement will also offer companies facing new temporary local confinements an amount that can reach the maximum amount of subsidies offered under the programs of wage subsidy and rental subsidy.
Other federal programs have also been announced to provide assistance to individuals and businesses dealing with the Omicron variant.
