Movie Theaters Endure Great Losses Amid Covid Restriction: GPBSI

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Movie theater businesses have been hit hard financially amidst the prolonged Covid-19 public activity restriction (PPKM) as the government continues to suppress the spread of the virus. 

The financial burden facing movie theaters was revealed by the chairperson of the Indonesian Cinema Owners Association (GPBSI), Djonny Syafruddin, who sent letters to State Ministries in an attempt to ask for a loosened restriction that would allow cinemas to operate under strict health protocols. 

He claims to have sent a letter to Economic Affairs Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto earlier this month “Asking to let cinemas open after it had been closed for too long,” he said on Sunday, September 12, Bisnis.com reported.

According to his rough estimate, the financial losses suffered by a movie theater not operating could reach Rp150 million per month and losses accumulate to Rp1 trillion in the entirety of the PPKM enactment. 

He argues employees are forced to be laid off, electricity bills that must be paid, and rent fees for cinemas located in malls. Syafruddin believes association members are prepared to comply to Covid-19 health protocols along with the mandatory rule to implement the PeduliLindungi tracing app to operate again. 

The Jakarta provincial government reported earlier claims discussion upon reopening movie theaters are being conducted amidst the relaxed PPKM Level 3 but has not specific date to announce when the industry would make a comeback.

Read: Movie Theater Reopening, DPRD: Lives More Important Than Economy

BISNIS