Govt nod to 100% capacity in cinema halls from today

The SOPS say no exhibition of films will be allowed in cinema halls located inside Covid-19 containment zones

NEW DELHI: Movie theatres across the country can start using 100% seating capacity from Monday, but will have to ensure that adequate physical distancing measures are followed outside the auditoriums, in common areas and waiting areas at all times, according to standard operating procedures (SOPS) issued by the Centre on Sunday that were welcomed by exhibitors as a precursor to the industry’s return to normalcy.

Multiplexes have been asked to put in place staggered show timings to avoid crowding. Longer intermissions have been recommended so that the audience seated in different rows of the hall can walk to their seats without crowding each other.

The SOPS, issued by the ministry of information and broadcasting, said no exhibition of films will be allowed in cinema halls located inside Covid-19 containment zones. The ministry of home affairs had, on January 27, issued new reopening guidelines in which it was decided that cinema halls can function with more than 50% capacity and swimming pools can open as well for the general public.

Apart from physical distancing of at least 6 feet in common areas and staggered show timings, the I&B ministry has recommended that digital booking of tickets be encouraged and contact number of the ticketholder be taken at the time of booking to facilitate contact tracing. Only asymptomatic people will be allowed inside shows.

The government said that the use of face masks inside the halls and theatres will be mandatory .

The government recommended self-monitoring of health by all moviegoers and reporting of any illness at the earliest to state and district helplines. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited on the premises. The box office shall be open throughout the day and advance booking should be allowed to avoid crowding at the sale counters.

“For the revival of the cinema exhibition industry, relaxations of the seating norms was a vital prerequisite,” said Alok Tandon, CEO of the multiplex chain INOX Leisure Ltd. “We are thankful to the I&B Ministry and absolutely excited at revised guidelines allowing 100% seating in cinemas. This would ease the apprehensions in the minds of content producers and studios, who may now announce the release dates of their movies. We now look forward to the state governments to provide us the nod to implement the revised guidelines. We will remain committed to the protocols as advised, as guest safety and hygiene has always been a priority at INOX.”

Another important direction in the latest SOPS for cinema halls is to operate air-conditioning systems inside the cinema halls in the range of 24-30 degrees Celsius. “Relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70%. Re-circulation of air to be avoided to the extent possible and intake of fresh air should be as much as possible,” the SOPS state. There should also be adequate cross ventilation inside the halls, it added.

The states have the freedom to propose additional measures for cinema halls based on their assessment, it said.

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