In Europe’s two most gravely threatened markets, publishers’ associations and their retail and distribution colleagues are fighting for governmental assistance – with bookstores shuttered in lockdowns.

As the coronavirus COVID-19 emergency makes severe advances in the Italian and Spanish markets, the publishers’ associations and other book organizations are issuing more strident calls for help.

As Publishing Perspectives readers know, these are among the world’s hardest hit markets and are leading the devastation in Europe at the moment. In both countries, various levels of lockdowns are in place. At points this week, pedestrians in Madrid have been stopped and ticketed by police if they weren’t out of the house on essential errands.

In both markets, retail activity, of course, is sharply curtailed. Bookstores, which don’t supply essential health-supportive products or services, are among those often required to close their doors.

Read the entire article here