Entertainment Venues Continue to Suffer Due to Strict Rules
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Last week, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a litany of regulatory guidelines for livehouses, theaters, internet cafés, and other "entertainment venues" hoping to reopen in the waning days of COVID-19, according to Beijing News.
The documents indicate that in areas in China considered low-risk, venues can hold performances after receiving approval from the local party committee and government. However, all medium- to large-scale events, as well as those featuring foreign nationals and anyone needing to enter the mainland, such as performers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao, are still suspended (perhaps unsurprisingly given they can't enter the country anyway). Meanwhile, all commercial performances in medium- and high-risk areas will continue to be put on hold.
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DDC is one of the first livehouses to close as a direct effect of the loss of business caused by the coronavirus
On the surface, these regulations appear to be poking holes in what has otherwise been an impenetrable wall of regulations surrounding the entertainment industry these past few months. But really, there's still a long way to go before things are back to normal. Unfortunately, for some venues – most recently DDC – the new guidelines are too little too late, while for others, capping ticket sales at 30 percent doesn't begin to cover the expenses of hosting a show, let alone turn a profit. Additionally, the ongoing suspension of medium- to large-scale performances, coupled with the ban on foreign musicians and performers diminishes the chance of venue owners salvaging their business in the short-term.
Images: GM, Live Beijing Music
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