Amid the Covid-19 pandemic and after seven months of the stringent lockdown the government has now entered the final phase of Unlocking the Economy. During Unlock 5, cinema halls have been allowed to reopen from October 15 with 50 percent of the seating capacity and one-seat distance between the viewers.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday has issued the Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for the cinema halls before exhibiting films. "Cinema halls are shut for the last seven months. They are now opening on October 15. For the safety of people, we have come out with SOP to be followed," he said.
While briefing the press at his residence, the Union Minister also added that online booking of tickets will be encouraged but the box office will be open for single-screen theatres.
"In single-screen theatres, ticket counters will be opened. However, we encourage online booking for contactless transactions. Proper ventilation has to be ensured and temperature settling of all air conditioning should be above 23 degrees Celsius," he said.
Also, only packed food and beverages will be allowed to serve.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in its unlock guidelines issued on September 30 had allowed the reopening of cinema halls from October 15.
Here's all you need to know:
1. Occupancy of the auditorium shall not be more than 50%
2. Adequate physical distancing while seating
3. Seats "Not to be occupied" shall be marked as such
4. Provision for hand wash and hand sanitizers
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5. Installation and use of the Arogya Setu App shall be advised to all
6. Thermal screening to be carried out. Only asymptomatic individuals shall be allowed
7. Self-monitoring of health and reporting any illness
8. Staggered show timings shall be followed for different screens
9. Digital modes of payments to be encouraged
10. Regular cleaning and disinfection of the box office, and other areas
11. Sufficient number of counters at the box office shall be opened
12. Audience encouraged to avoid movement during intermission
13. Floor markers shall be used for physical distancing for queue management at the box office
14. Purchase of tickets at the box office to be open throughout the day, advance booking to be allowed to avoid crowding
15. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited
16. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed
17. Only packaged food and beverages shall be allowed; no delivery inside the hall
18. Multiple sale counters for food and beverage
19. Measures for the safety of sanitization staff such as adequate provisions for gloves, boots, masks, PPE, etc
20. Contact number shall be taken to facilitate contact tracing
21. Sufficient number of counters at the box office shall be opened
22. COVID-19 related stigmatization or unruly behavior shall be dealt with strictly
23. Temperature Setting of all air conditioning should be in the range of 24-30 degree Celsius
24. Public service announcements on wearing masks, physical distancing, and hand hygiene to be made before and after screening and during intermission