Cinema halls can open from today at 100% capacity

With the active Covid-19 caseload coming down to 1.68 lakh, cinema halls across the country have been permitted to operate at full capacity from Monday, February 1, with adherence to safety protocols. Terming the move as “good news for cinema lovers”, information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar said on Sunday full occupancy will be allowed in cinema halls, following all Covidrelated protocols. He said the home ministry had given the nod to the decision of opening all cinema halls at full capacity on January 27.

Last year in October, the government allowed cinema halls to operate at 50 per cent seating capacity to maintain social distancing and avoid crowds as the pandemic raged. Cinemas and theatres across India were shut for several months under the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

While releasing a set of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Mr Javadekar said digital booking of tickets and staggered show timings to avoid crowding will be encouraged. “No-contact transactions should be the most preferred mode for tickets, food and beverages. Contact numbers shall be taken at the time of booking of tickets to facilitate contact tracing.”

As per the guidelines, all cinema halls and theatres will ensure the Covid protocols, including social distancing, face masks, sanitisation, installing of the “Aarogya Setu” app and thermal screening at the entry-exit point. The SOP said there should be “proper crowd management in the parking lots and outside the premises and physical distancing norms shall be ensured”.

The guidelines specify that no film shall be allowed to be screened in the containment zones and that states and Union territories may consider “proposing additional measures” as per their assessment.