Sweden's largest cinema chain, Filmstaden, decided last month to remain closed until 22 December with reference to the recommendations from the Swedish Public Health Agency and the government's ban on public gatherings.

It is now clear that cinemas will be closed for longer than that.

Something Dagens Nyheter was the first to report on.

- As it looks now, we believe that February 3 is a date that may be reasonable, but of course it depends entirely on the restrictions.

If it is still a maximum of eight people in the audience that applies, it will be difficult, says Helena Eklund, marketing director at Filmstaden to Kulturnyheterna.

"Extremely palpable"

This means that Filmstaden's cinemas are closed during the year's biggest film weekend: Christmas.

It is already known that several planned premieres will be postponed until next year.

- It feels very boring.

Christmas Day is the biggest day for us.

We usually have around 100,000 visits in one day to our cinemas.

This is enormously noticeable for us, says Helena Eklund.

Would you consider opening cinemas to eight people if the restrictions do not change?

- No it will be difficult.

It will not be financially possible.