How pandemic impacted Colombia’s entertainment industry

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Since the pandemic began, the entertainment industry has been one of the sectors most affected by closures, with live events, large crowds and hundreds of shows scheduled to take place being fully disrupted by the virus.

In Colombia, restrictions were maintained for months and only a year and a half later, live music, sports and other events that attract hundreds of people have been authorized to return.

Changes in the industry in order to survive despite the pandemic

Live concerts:

In Colombia over 500 live events were canceled in March 2020, Chamorro Iluminación confirmed that it had lost millions of dollars, “it is impossible to calculate the loss, we have dollar debts with banks and there is no way to repay the money, everything has been invested,” explained the company’s owner Andrés Chamorro.

At the time, the industry had to reinvent itself and concerts migrated to online live shows, many with codes that relied exclusively on the Internet and could be viewed from anywhere.

With the reactivation, these shows will return, not with the same crowds but with the possibility of watching live music and under strict safety protocols. However, alcohol sale or consumption is forbidden in large events.

Operation of bars and nightclubs:

Bars and establishments that sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on site may operate until 1 AM, provided they have permits and endorsement by the City Hall. They must comply with the standards established in Resolution 777 of 2021 issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. They must also bear the biosafety seal granted by the City Hall.

If required, the corrective measures provided for in Law 1801 of 2016 will be enforced, which includes the activity’s suspension and the closure of the commercial establishment. However, the mayor emphasized that the most important aspect to observe is self-regulation.

Sports:

This reactivation was marred by disturbances at the stadium after Nacional and Santa Fé fans clashed and the match was marked by a dispute in which people were injured.

Since then, access to stadiums has been restricted.

The rules for the whole entertainment industry:

Physical distancing of at least 1 meter is mandatory, respecting a maximum 50% of the venue’s capacity and taking into account all the specific conditions set forth in the biosecurity protocols and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the District Health Secretariat.

Organizers are required to secure the necessary permits to operate the establishments and to obtain the City Hall’s endorsement, ensuring that the organization, logistics and venue have enough capacity to separate the entry of people attending, prevent crowds, comply with the use of face masks, ventilation at all points, and several disinfection areas.

Source: Infobae