Culture, Art Sector’s Losses Over COVID-19 Estimated at $60m

In separate letters to First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, the head of Plan and Budget Organization, Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, President’s Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi and Vice President for Economic Affairs Mohammad Nahavandian and Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Abbas Salehi has called for financial support to the arts and cultural sector amid the losses caused by the new coronavirus. 
“The closure of theaters, cinemas, music halls and galleries, as well as disruptions to the cultural agenda of art institutions, publications, media and other related jobs and businesses following the outbreak of COVID-19 have resulted in an estimated loss of at least 9,760 billion rials [$60 million] by April 19," reads the letter. 
On Sunday, the Iranian Alliance of Motion Picture Guilds sent a letter to culture minister and asked him to extend financial support to members who have to stay at home following the cancellation of movie projects due to the pandemic, Mehr News Agency reported.