Nollywood actors have taken to social media to protest the continued closure of cinemas in Nigeria, due to COVID-19.
As other sectors of the Nigerian economy have been re-opened for business, cinemas remain shut in the country.
Recall that cinemas were closed in March 2020, due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
The social media protest tagged –#SaveCinemas, has seen actors and filmmakers, lamented how the continued closure continues to stifle the growth of the entertainment industry.
Seeking the lift of ban on the country’s entertainment industry, popular rapper and actor, Falz expressed his conviction that cinemas can function with all safety precautions observed.
“The entertainment industry must be allowed to gradually get back in business!! Let’s start with cinemas reopening with all safety precautions in place,” he wrote.
Similarly, veteran actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, who recently contracted COVID-19, said cinemas are easier to monitor and regulate.
“I believe cinemas are easier to monitor and regulate. If other indoor places are open, why not the Cinemas? Temp checks, masks, distancing, etc. We need to work together to ensure safer ways to keep the Arts going. Many livelihoods depend on this. It can and MUST be done as safely as possible. #savecinemas,” she wrote on her Instagram page.
Also joining the protest, Nollywood filmmaker, Steve Gukas, wrote: “The ability of the film industry to grow and sustain itself is directly linked to how much money films earn in various windows. The cinema is a very important revenue source. Keeping them shut has dire consequences for the industry. Given how many of our youth make a living from this industry, it is time to give this a second look.”
