The main problem will be the ongoing restrictions under Victoria’s road map, he said, which continues to limit the number of patrons to 150 people, regardless of whether it’s a 1000 or a 155-seat room.
He said, “cinemas will continue to struggle”, particularly larger venues such as the Astor Theatre which are required to operate at “a wildly inefficient level”.
Restrictions should be matched to the threat of transmission, Mr Zeccola said, emphasising cinemas had a good record, high air circulation and ample cleaning.
“Even when COVID-positive, Delta-positive patrons were in attendance at the cinema with no masks on, it did not spread,” he said, pointing to examples at Crown casino and Bondi Junction in NSW.