Pakistani comedians are demanding that the government should reopen commercial theaters on Friday. At a joint news conference in Lahore Press Club held on Thursday, local comedians said that they should be allowed to resume their work as all businesses have opened already.
Stand up comedian and film actor Naseem Vicki said that theaters should be treated the same way shopping malls and markets are being treated. They shouldn’t neglect the needs of artistes of the country.
“We don’t want any aid or help but we just want that theatres should be allowed to open now,” he said.
Comedian Amanat Chan seconded his opinion and said that since markets have reopened, stage artistes should also be given the opportunity to work. They will follow the required SOPs, so there shouldn’t be any more delay in opening these public places.
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Mental Health > Physical Safety
Iftikhar Thakur was of the view that the coronavirus and lockdown have disturbed the healthy mental state of people and comedians should be given a chance to relieve their stress and help them relax at this crucial hour. He demanded that theaters and cinemas should be opened as soon as possible.
Theater Action Committee chairman Qaiser Sanaullah said,
“Our Eid was spoiled by closure of the commercial theaters and the government should now give immediate orders to reopen the commercial theater business. Theatres all over Punjab should be opened on Friday (today).”
Concluding thoughts
One thing that these comedians are neglecting to take into account is the health and safety of the general public and themselves. Aren’t we supposed to avoid gatherings and maintain a 6 feet distance? Even if they follow the SOPs, who can guarantee that theaters will be disinfected/sanitized on an hourly basis?
The chances of maintaining the cleanliness levels, judging by the track record of other places that reopened, are very low. The performers sure need their livelihood for survival but is the cost of endangering someone’s life worth it?
Who will have the last laugh then? Surely these comedians don’t want that kind of thing on their collective conscience.
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