100% Occupancy in Cinema Halls from Tomorrow, SOP Suggests Longer Intervals

NEW DELHI: The Centre on January 30 announced that cinema halls and movie theatres can operate with 100 per cent capacity from February 1.

Releasing the latest SOP for the functioning of the movie halls and theatres, Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change; Information & Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar on his Twitter handle wrote, "Good news for Cinema lovers: Today, Issued the revised SOP for the film exhibition, 100% occupancy will be allowed in theatres from 1st February, but all @MoHFW_INDIA #COVID19 guidelines will have to be followed."

General Guidelines:

1. Adequate physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed outside the auditoriums, common areas and waiting areas at all times.

2. Use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory at all times.

3. Availability of hand sanitizers, preferably in the touch-free mode, at entry and exit points as well as common areas within the premises.

4. 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.

5. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.

Releasing the latest SOP for the functioning of the movie halls and theatres, the government suggested digital booking of tickets, staggered show timings and longer intervals.

"No-contact transactions should be the most preferred mode for tickets, food, and beverages. Contact number shall be taken at the time of booking of tickets to facilitate contact tracing," the guidelines added.

As per the guidelines, all cinema halls and theatres will ensure the coronavirus protocol including social distancing, face mask, sanitisation, installation of 'Aarogya Setu App', thermal screening at the entry-exit point.

The SOP said that there should be "proper crowd management in the parking lots and outside the premises and physical distancing norms shall be ensured".

These measures should be observed all the time. the exhibition of films shall be allowed in containment zones. The States or Union Territories may consider proposing additional measures as per their field assessment, the guidelines stated.

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