Quebec Premier François Legault, Culture and Communications Minister Nathalie Roy and Horacio Arruda, the province’s national director of public health, are providing the most recent assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province from Place des arts in Montreal
Fewer than 300 new cases of contamination, as of today there are 4,661 deaths in Quebec that is 74 more than yesterday. There are 51,354 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 1,185 people are in the hospital, including 163 whom are in intensive care.
Ten days after an initial announcement for the cultural sector, the Legault government announced an assistance plan of $400 million dollars intended to this industry, in addition to revealing the date of resumption of activities related to the world of cinema and television.
So far, Minister Roy has given the green light to museum visits and library loan services, but under certain strict sanitary conditions. However, no timetable has been put forward for the resumption of indoor shows whether for theatre, dance or other. No details, either, on the possible reopening of cinemas.
The money announced on Monday should be distributed as follows:
$91.5 million for the production of films and television series - respecting the standards of social distancing;
$71.5 million for businesses and cultural organizations that had to close their doors due to the pandemic.
$50.9 million for the creation of "innovative" shows, in particular by relying on digital platforms.
$33.5 million for music and its craftsmen, among other things to "meet the challenges linked to new listening habits".
$6.5 million to better compensate musical works, part of which will be managed by the Union des artistes and the Guilde des musicians et musiciennes du Québec.
$5.9 million for the holding of online events and orders for original works.
$13 million in advertising to promote local shows.
This reopening is however conditional on the green light from public health, and the places of distribution will have to respect the standards in terms of social distancing. It is therefore unthinkable that the rooms will be filled to capacity in the near future.
Art is essential in a society, said the national director of public health of Quebec, Dr. Horacio Arruda. He also launched, smirking, that he was impatient that his [cultural] subscriptions could resume.
