Prime minister proposes opening theaters to 50 percent seating occupancy
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center) has proposed removing the current restriction on theaters and replacing it with a 50 percent seat occupancy rule. The government is to make a decision on the matter Thursday.
At present, a maximum of 50 percent occupancy is permitted in theaters, but with an additional ceiling of 50 persons. Since many theaters have a larger capacity than 100, the new regulation if it came into effect would boost audience sizes. The now-famous 2+2 rule (maximum two people congregating in public spaces, minimum 2-meter distance from others in public-ed.) remains in force, ERR reports.
"Today, I proposed to the coronavirus committee that we would be ready on Thursday to make the decision to abandon the 50 people [rule]. To keep the 50% occupancy rate and the 2 + 2 rule," Ratas told ERR Thursday afternoon.
Ratas and the government's coronavirus Research Council are still opposed to reopening nightclubs, he said.
"This category of opening might take place in early July, but not earlier. There was no direct decision made today on when nightclubs, adult entertainment establishments and hookah bars will open, but it will most likely be in July," Ratas continued.
"Nightclubs are high-risk in terms of infection risk. However, it is also clear that the at-risk populations (i.e. the elderly-ed.) do not contract the virus there. At the same time, we must take into account that young people can always transmit the disease [too]," Ratas continued.
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Editor: Andrew Whyte