According to the ICA, which gathers regular statistics on cinema exhibition in the country, exhibitors reported about 27,000 Euros in box office revenue on Monday, 19 April, but not all the cinemas reopened their doors.
Of the 561 cinemas in the country, and ICA indicates that on reopening, it obtained box office data from 333 cinemas, including independents and multiplexes, located mainly in shopping centres.
Following the deconfinement plan, on Monday theatres, cinemas and performance halls reopened in most of the country, except in the municipalities of Moura, Odemira, Portimão, Rio Maior, Alandroal, Albufeira, Carregal do Sal, Figueira da Foz, Marinha Grande and Penela, where the Covid-19 pandemic risk situation is higher.
Although movie premieres are usually on Thursday, many exhibitors have decided to bring the premiere of several films forward to Monday, including one of the most awarded films and favourite for the Oscars: "Nomadland - Surviving in America", by Chinese-American filmmaker Chloé Zhao.
The operation of the cinemas in this reopening is the same as when it was closed, with the obligation to wear masks, to keep a distance, to clean the spaces and to define circulation circuits.
As for opening hours, according to the General Inspection of Cultural Activities (IGAC), cinemas, auditoriums and theatres will have to close at 10:30pm during the week, and at 1pm on weekends.
According to the ICA, with the Covid-19 pandemic, cinema exhibition in Portugal suffered, in 2020, a drop of 75.55 percent in audience and revenue compared to 2019, for a total of only 3.77 million viewers and 20.4 million Euros.