Epidemiologist: Plays Should Feature as Few as Possible Actors, No Temperature Checks for Audience

Predrag Kon

Epidemiologist Predrag Kon on Aug. 25 said that after being closed due to the Covid-19 epidemic in March, cultural venues had prepared detailed guidelines for the reopening, including frequent aeration with special ventilation systems, thorough disinfection procedures at least once a day and ensuring physical distancing of 1.5 meters between audience members.  

Kon told public broadcaster RTS that “seats must be visibly marked with signs ‘reserved’ and ‘empty,’ that is, to ensure at least one empty seat between audience members in theater and movie venues. He added that actors would have to be healthy, while plays should feature as few as possible actors.  

Kon said that theaters had proposed temperature testing, but the Crisis Headquarters had dismissed the measure as unnecessary as it would cause congestions at the entrance, stressing that theaters would be closed, if audience members failed to wear face coverings.

Kon also said that the opening of schools “implies an increased risk” of infection spread. “Regardless of all countermeasures we have been taking, it is very likely that the virus will pick up in activity,” he specified.  

Kon dismissed criticism that the school year should be delayed for two weeks due to the epidemiological situation, explaining that “it could then be delayed indefinitely.” He noted that the beginning of every school year bore the risk of an increase in virus activity.