There could finally be a light at the end of the tunnel for UK cinema-goers, the U.K. Cinema Association has put forward proposals to the government that would see cinema’s safely opening at the end of June.
In a statement to Variety, Phil Clapp, chief executive of the U.K. Cinema Association, stated: “We’ve made representations to government on the safeguards which U.K. cinemas would look to have in place for audiences and staff alike upon re-opening, and have asked that consideration be given – with these in mind – to allow cinemas to open by end June.”
He went on to stipulate that this was only a recommendation, any outcome would ultimately lay at the hands of the government, “led by the government’s understanding of the risk presented by COVID-19 and respond accordingly.”
All UK cinema’s closed their doors to the public just a few days before the official lockdown went to affect on March 23rd. Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ is the first big-budget movie set for a theatrical release in July.
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In related news, Deadline are reporting that the British Film Commission have drafted a proposal of guidelines that would see the re-start of UK production for Film and TV.
With input from Netflix, BAFTA, Disney, HBO and Bectu the 30-page unfinalised document puts into place safety measures to be carried out on each production to make sure all cast and crew are protected from Covid-19.
The document features guidance on pre-shoot safety training, testing, quarantining foreign actors, social distancing and catering and stipulates that each production has a COVID-19 supervisor to oversee on-set safety.
Dialogue between industry bodies and the government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport is said to be underway. Boris Johnson is expected to announce plans around easing lockdown restrictions on Monday.
