Tadas Vidmantas accuses Dulkis of ruining the cinema: there will be no place to show films

T. Vidmantas said on Facebook that Health Minister A. Dulkys is killing the cinema precisely because of restrictions in theaters: they still can’t sell popcorn and drinks, so far viewers have to wear a mask in the hall, those restrictions.

“Whether vaccinated or not, with the same passport (Passport of Opportunity – Delphi) or not. It is due to Arūnas decisions that it is not yet possible to experience the full cinematic entertainment in the cinema, that is, popcorn and cola. Such in reflection. What are the chances of getting infected? (a) in a bar where everyone is drinking, pushing, talking loudly to each other’s faces because they can’t listen to music; b) in a cinema where no one talks, does not walk, sits in their place and looks in the same direction. In other words, who is healthier, Minister of Health? ”T. Vidmantas was angry.

The director summed up that Lithuanians are no longer worth creating comedies.

“There are still people who have their films in drawers, they are waiting for better times, but there will be no where to show them.

Cinemas are not worth running right now. If nothing changes quickly, they will close and everything, the cinema will end forever. They will be replaced by business centers. Only one person will be to blame for this: Arūnas Dulkys. I will also remind him before the next elections, ”said T. Vidmantas.

The current decision of the Operations Manager A. Dulkis on the necessary conditions for the organization of events defines that meals are available in designated areas, maintaining a distance of 2 meters between tables, and it is forbidden to take food and drinks from buffets or bars. .

Event organizers must ensure that no food or drink is consumed in the room during the event. Organizers (including cinemas) must ensure control of the use of masks throughout the event indoors, as well as other requirements.

“And do you know why you still can’t eat popcorn and need to watch movies with masks? Because there are no tables! I’m not kidding, here for your official response. How do I interpret this argument? When you eat in a restaurant, eating at the TABLE means that you do not catch anything. When you eat at the cinema, THERE IS NO TABLE, it means that you are infected. Fantastic logic, minister. Do you make decisions with the same head and at home or only at work? ”, T. Vidmantas writes.

In his recording, he summarized that his movie “Night Fishing”, which was shown in theaters at the end of July, is probably his last movie.

“You have to bake television series or do something else. I will think of it. (…) Come to the cinema before closing the quarantine. Oh, they even got together,” wrote T. Vidmantas.

Multikino feels broke

Raimundas Bilinskas, Marketing Director of Multikino Cinema, fully agreed with the opinion of T. Vidmantas.

“Have you been to the old town in the last weeks at night to see how all the nightclubs, bars and restaurants work? How do people behave there? Did they sit in mugs with masks and remain silent, or were they still talking inside without masks, drinking beer, was there noise, music, etc.? ”R. Bilinskas asked a rhetorical question.

He assured that cinemas, being able to admit spectators only with masks, without drinks and without popcorn, have empty rooms.

Who and who have you helped now with their decisions? We do not have a Passport to Opportunity, we have masks, we have to collect people’s drinks and we cannot let them in with snacks or with anyone. People just don’t come back. And we show cinema in empty corridors. Tadas Vidmantas is absolutely right, “lamented R. Bilinskas.

The cinemas had already organized a one-day strike when the cinemas were closed, but that did not change the situation.

“We asked to give at least a little liveliness in the summer, we received a response from the Vice Minister of Health that it really is not our business here. We try to talk, we try to argue, we try to show that cinemas are a safe place, we have increased ventilation, we keep our distances, etc. They didn’t listen to us. At that time, all the city festivals, sea festivals, bars, concerts, where people are checked or not, the Passports of Opportunity go well, ”said R. Bilinskas.

He expected the government to make changes; perhaps a review of the existing requirements would make it easier for theaters to operate, at least with the Opportunity Passport.

“We really feel ruined, discriminated against and, as Tad says, taken to the grave,” summarized Bilinskas.

SAM takes care of the delta stop

The response of the Ministry of Health to the Cinematographic Association indicates that the proposals for the fastest possible story premiere in cinemas have been taken into account.

“However, we would like to point out that the epidemiological situation in Lithuania is not stable. Although the number of people who acquire resistance is increasing, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has not disappeared, in any case, the incidence has been increasing day a day in recent weeks, and the delta strain is being viewed with concern and, as in other parts of the world, is becoming predominant among hospitalized patients. In addition, the internal spread of the infection is recorded, that is, people report that they do not visit abroad or interact with people who have returned from abroad. The efficacy of the Delta strain, its ability to infect humans, is greater than that of previous strains. The Delta strain has been identified by the Organization World Health Organization as a worrying strain As the situation in other countries shows, where the spread of this variety has gained momentum, the delta variety may have a significant impact. vo in people and the health system ”, reads the letter signed by Deputy Minister Aušra Bilotienė Motiejūnienė.

Although the quarantine is over, the increase in morbidity requires limited emergency measures

“To prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus infection), the Decision obliges cinema operators, among other requirements, to ensure that food and beverages are not consumed in the theater in non-designated places, in viewers over 6 years. and / or the participants and the service personnel would wear medical masks or respirators inside throughout the event, which fit the face and completely cover the nose and mouth (hereinafter, masks) ”, reiterated the Ministry.

The answer summarizes that the main activity of the cinema is not the provision of catering services and, in addition, the consumption of food (outside the theater) is not prohibited in certain designated areas.

Delfi has asked the Ministry of Health for a comment; after receiving a reply, we will supplement the post.