Cinema halls to operate with 100% occupancy from Feb 1, Centre issues new guidelines
The cinema halls will follow various measures to control the spread of infection through temperature checks, separated seats, show timings, social distancing, and digital payments, among other things.
FollowNew Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has permitted cinema halls to operate at 100% seating capacity from February 1.
In tune with the same, the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry also stated that seating arrangement inside the auditorium of the cinemas, theatres and multiplexes is to be allowed up to 100% seating capacity from the current 50% since October last year.
The Ministry also issued new guidelines for the functioning of cinema halls and theatres amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The cinema halls will follow various measures to control the spread of infection through temperature checks, separated seats, show timings, social distancing, and digital payments, among other things.
Here are some of the guidelines to be followed at the cinema halls once they start operating at full seating capacity:
·     Adequate physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed outside the auditoriums, common areas and waiting areas at all times.
·     Use of face masks or covers is going to be mandatory at the cinema halls
·     Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.
·     Availability of hand sanitizers, preferably in the touch-free mode, at entry and exit points as well as common areas within the premises.
·     Spitting shall be strictly prohibited. Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all.
·     Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
As per the SOPs by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, no film will be screened in the cinema halls falling in the containment zone area.Â
Nearly 10,000 theatres closed in mid-March when the government-imposed restrictions and a nationwide lockdown to fight the coronavirus. But in October, they were allowed to open even though the number of admissions was largely limited.
The news has cheered theatre owners, who have been struggling since theatres shut down in March 2020 following the outbreak of coronavirus.
