Theater Markant is a huge step closer to safely increasing its theater capacity. On Wednesday July 8, Markant Uden was the first theater worldwide to receive the certificate of the COVID-19 safety protocol from TÜV Nederland, one of the leading international providers of technical services for quality and safety. The certification is an independent review that all control measures from the “COVID-19 infection prevention protocol for cinemas, theaters and performance theaters” are correctly implemented.

The theater is now waiting for permission from the Dutch government to become one of the so-called field lab projects. Then the theater can put the protocol, which assumes an occupancy rate of 70%, into practice. Due to the corona measures, Markant can now only receive 150 guests. Interior specialist Tausch developed a validated protocol by which the theater can safely host their guests and offer them a full evening out again. The implementation of all control measures have been tested by TÜV Nederland and because no deviations have been found, the theater has received their COVID-19 safety certificate.

Safe in a cozy theater
The theater wants to be able to offer her audience what it comes for: a special night out, to be entertained. And that in a safe environment. “That live meeting between actors and audience in a well-filled hall, that is what it’s about in the theater. We are proud that our this protocol has now been reviewed and approved by a leading quality agency. This certificate brings Markant closer to the theater they want to be, ” says inventor and creator of the safety protocol Cristian Bander.

Remco Bosch, Manager Security & Risk Inspections of TÜV Nederland adds: “Markant has a vision of how they can implement a pleasant evening out in combination with a set of 32 control measures, to minimize the risk of spreading the virus as much as possible. The protocol that has been developed by Tausch and has been validated by us and as TÜV Nederland we are happy that we can award the certificate.”

Call to action
“But we want and can do more. Now we have to wait for the politicians. We would like to continue the discussions with policymakers to further release our industry in a responsible manner. With this certificate we have demonstrated that we have taken the correct control measures to reduce COVID-19 infection as much as possible,” concludes a satisfied Jan Wouda from Markant.