In a move welcomed by many, the government has allowed movie theatres to function with 100% occupancy starting Monday, 1st February 2021. The announcement came as a part of the new guidelines to be followed in the next phase where the government has eased some restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier, cinema halls and multiplexes were permitted to fill only up to 50% of its seats so as to ensure social distancing is maintained for containing the virus spread that jumps into excitation mode with a big crowd.
The guidelines have changed following the entry of 2 vaccines- SII’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin– for inoculating healthcare workers and frontline workers for now from the virus. So far, more than 37 lakh people have been administered the vaccine. The threat remains vital as the coronavirus is mutating and presenting itself as an even more infectious entity through its UK and South Africa forms. 166 cases of the Uk strain have been reported in India till now.
While India is still fighting the virus, the announcement has allowed cinema hall associates to let out a sigh of relief as the centers remained closed for around 7 months in 2020 due to the rising rage of the pandemic. According to reports, the number of infections has also come down during the last few weeks.
Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the happy news on a social media platform. “BIGGG NEWS… 100% seating capacity allowed in cinemas/theatres/multiplexes. SOPs issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting,” he wrote on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
Also expressing its delight over the news was the Producers Guild Of India, an important film body. It tweeted saying, “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.”
Joining in was columnist Sreedhar Pillai who wrote on Twitter, “After 100% occupancy in theatres, Bollywood is waking up from its deep slumber. Looking forward to Hindi star-driven content to revive the theatrical. The multi-starrer Sooryavanshi & cricket-based 1983 The Movie are due March end or April 2, as Ramadan period starts Apr 13/14.”
After 100% occupancy in theatres, #Bollywood is waking up from its deep slumber. Looking forward to #Hindi star driven content to revive the theatrical. The multi-starrer #Sooryavanshi & cricket based #1983TheMovie are due March end or April 2, as #Ramadan period starts Apr 13/14 pic.twitter.com/fvRkJKKID1
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) January 31, 2021
However, this reopening and allowance come at a cost as the Centre’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a group of SOPs to be followed by cinema halls and multiplexes to avoid the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus.
- Compulsory mask-wearing, temperature checks, and thermal screening
- Staggered movie timings with seats kept at a distance from each other
- Mandatory maintenance of social distancing and availability of hand sanitizers at entrances.
- Strict prohibition of spitting
- Compulsory note of contact numbers of all visitors during ticket booking to allow contact tracing
- Reduced number of people in lifts and elevators
- Row-wise manner of exit from the cinema hall to avoid congregation of people
- Encouragement of digital methods of payment
- Mandatory sanitization of theatres posts each screening with frequent sanitization of areas most commonly used.
- Sanitization staff to wear PPE kits for their safety.
- Safe disposal of food and beverage items by the theatre
- No movies to be screened in areas marked as containment zones
As per its recent guidelines, the government had permitted theatres to work with more than 50% occupancy.
“Cinema halls and theatres have already been permitted up to 50% of seating capacity. Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in consultation with MHA (the Ministry of Home Affairs),” it said in a release.
Movie theatres have been struggling a lot since the past many months due to the pandemic and the lockdown it induced. Though many restrictions were eased, cinema halls did not see the light of the day for long as it posed a greater risk of spreading the infection. With the latest announcements, they can function with full occupancy as big-budget movies now have the chance to lure people back to the theatres and earn profits.
