(Credit: Staatstheater Cottbus official website)

The Staatstheater Cottbus has announced that it will extend its closure until Easter 2021.

Per a statement from the organization, all the state theaters and orchestras of the German federal state of Brandenburg have come to a joint decision to extend the closure in the interest of public health protection.

“If earlier openings are possible, the performances should be resumed quickly, even with restrictions,” states the joint document signed by representatives of all the state theaters and orchestras, and the Minister for Culture of the German federal state of Brandenburg Manja Schüle.

Additionally, the Staatstheater Cottbus will discontinue rehearsals until Feb. 28 due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemiological health crisis.

Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn said that the harsh measures imposed by the German government would have to remain in place until at least the end of February or into March 2021.