Cinemas across India set to open fully from February

Cinema halls across India have been permitted to open fully with 100 per cent occupancy from Monday (1st February 2021).

The government announced that the current 50 per cent occupancy will be replaced with the new rules.

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.https://t.co/5vfZtAoHXW@MIB_India pic.twitter.com/89qZpSiMhq

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) January 31, 2021

Trade bodies have welcomed the decision, with Producers Guild of India, tweeting: “We welcome the decision of @MIB_India to allow 100% capacity in cinemas from February 1 and extend our sincere gratitude to Honourable @PrakashJavdekar ji and everyone involved in facilitating this important step in our industry’s recovery.”

A number of rules have also been issued by The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to prevent the spread of the virus in cinema halls.

– Wearing masks, temperature checks and thermal screening are mandatory at the theatres.
– There will be staggered show timings and seats will be separated.
– Social distancing will be mandatory and hand sanitisers should be made available at the premises.
– Spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
– Contact numbers will be taken during booking of tickets to facilitate contact tracing.
– Number of people in elevators to be restricted; exit from the theatre should be in a staggered, row wise manner to prevent crowds.
– Digital payments will be encouraged.
– The theatre has to be sanitised after every screening; frequent sanitisation of common areas needs to ensured.
– Sanitisation staff to wear PPE kits for their safety.
– Safe disposal of food and beverage waste has to be ensured by the theatre.
– No movies can be screened in containment zones.