Dear Readers,

in the Christmas weeks, traditionally a peak season for enjoying films on the big screen, the rapid acceleration in the spread of Covid has meant that many countries have set restrictions on cinema-going. Five European governments have even closed cinemas - for more or less extended periods - as part of the policy to discourage access to public places for meeting or entertainment.
Unlike previous, severely restrictive measures, this extreme type of intervention has also affected a Northern European country like Denmark.
In addition, in Belgium it has sparked off opposition from a number of exhibitors who have joined together to gain recognition for the safety measures they propose for continuing to offer screenings.
Thanks to the fact that spectators occupy a pre-established seat and that it is relatively easy to enforce the rules on distancing, mask-wearing, checking green passes and the management of the incoming and outgoing flow of spectators, movie theatres are a place where leisure-time can be spent in special safety.
It goes without saying that this end-of-the-year clampdown has not only had a negative effect on the results for the whole of 2021, but also acted like a cold shower on the cautious optimism displayed by players in the sector, who were counting on a distinct recovery compared to 2020.
Thanks to the interactive map, this issue of DGT Online Informer offers a practical overview of the anti-Covid measures implemented in the various European countries from the onset of the pandemic up to today.
In the hope that 2022 really is the year we return to normality, with lots of films on the big screen,

Happy reading,
Elisabetta Brunella
Secretary General of MEDIA Salles