Italian promoters’ association Assomusica has slammed the country’s latest rollback of restrictions as being “inadequate and useless”.
Capacity restrictions for live events were increased last week, as experts said the use of vaccine passports is slowing the spread of coronavirus.
Football stadiums are now allowed to reach 75% capacity, up from 50 per cent at the start of the season, indoor sporting arenas rise to 50% from 35%, and indoor music venues increase to 80% from 50%.
“An increase to 80% of the capacity for indoor shows is totally inadequate and useless – both for most of the concerts already postponed several times (many of which sold out and are impossible to reschedule without having to arbitrarily choose who has the right to see the show and who does not) and for future ones who need 100% capacity and no distancing,” writes the association.
“IT IS STILL NOT CLEAR WHAT THE IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS WILL BE AND WHEN THEY WILL BE MADE SUCH IN RELATION TO THE INDOOR TOURS”
“Apart from these percentages used in the media, it is still not clear what the implementing provisions will be and when they will be made such in relation to the indoor tours and those scheduled in the summer of 2022.”
“It is, therefore, essential to set a target percentage of the vaccinated population and consequently a certain date for the restart that is no longer postponable that today can count on the Green Pass deemed suitable in any other form of ‘gathering’ but obviously not for concerts that need a lot of advance warning to be properly organised.”
The denouncement follows a “desperate appeal” to the Italian government in late September, which was backed by trade associations and more than 300 domestic and foreign artists.
The open letter demands that capacity limits and the requirement for social distancing are abolished immediately – though it is proposed that masks and temperature checks upon entry to an event are mandatory.
The association and the signatories have called for a shared plan to be formalised by the government before 31 October.
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