Features
Pearle Map Shows Reopening Phases Across Europe
Photo by Xavi Torrent/Redferns – The Clarence Bekker Band performs at the Jamboree Jazz Club in the first concert in Spain to be performed in a concert hall after the easing of lockdown restrictions on May 28, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.
The show was performed with a very limited capacity of 30 people, all wearing protective masks and maintaining the safety distance established by the protocol due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Pearle, the Performing Arts Employers Association League Europe, published a map about the current state of lockdown measures in Europe’s individual countries, indicating which ones allow live events with audiences again.
The Pearle map uses three colors to indicate the state of the Covid-19 restrictions in the different territories.
Green designates those countries that are allowing small-capacity performances, which includes Spain, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria.
Orange marks those European countries that have set dates for the gradual return of their respective cultural industries, but haven’t yet allowed concerts back, even at limited capacity. The list includes Ireland, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary, among others.
Grey indicates countries that haven’t announced any date yet regarding the re-opening of venues, such as the UK, Greece, Slovenia or Poland.
Where possible, the map also provides information on the different capacity regulations in each country, which differ from indoor to outdoor events.
The map will be updated constantly.
Most governments in Europe have established their own roadmaps for easing restrictions on public life, seeing that the EU has failed to come up with a streamlined plan.
The fact that there is no common approach between EU countries was addressed by Pearle in an open letter to the European culture ministers.
“Whilst Pearle members acknowledge the specific health prevention conditions and adhere to those, the live performance sector aims to open on the basis of full capacity. Without this possibility the costs are disproportionate with the limited box office income. In this case they call upon governments to compensate such losses,” the association states.
The fact that each European country is doing its own thing – in Germany even the individual states are approaching the easing of restrictions differently – will also make it hard for international touring to return.
Right now, artists and their teams cannot rout even a small-capacity Euro run, because what’s allowed on one side of a border might still be illegal on the other.
Pearle president Morten Gjelten wrote in the open letter: “It is of the utmost importance that throughout Europe communications to audiences are clear and straightforward. We want to be able to provide again a live experience under the best possible conditions according to health requirements to combat the spreading of the Corona virus. Our members are drafting prevention plans to protect artists, technicians and staff, whilst considering the safety of audiences.”
By its own admission, Pearle represents through its members more than 10,000 managers or theaters, concert venues, theater production companies, orchestras, operas, ballet and dance companies, festivals, promoters and other professional organizations in the performing arts in Europe.