New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday released SOPs for the reopening of cinema halls and multiplexes from October 15.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted the set of guidelines with the hashtag UnlockWithPrecautions.
“Cinema halls shall be allowed to open with 50 per cent capacity only and people will maintain one-seat distance. Alternate seats will be left vacant for social distancing. Wearing masks at all times inside the hall will be important,” Javadekar said.
He also warned that any unruly behaviour will be strictly dealt with.
Here are the detailed rules:
“We encourage online booking for contact-less transactions. Proper ventilation has to be ensured and temperature setting of all air conditioning should be above 23 degree Celsius,” the I&B Minister said.
Recent findings about COVID-19 being air-borne for several hours have raised the question of the effectiveness of these safety measures in closed spaces.
The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) had recently appealed to the government as an estimated Rs 9,000 crore has been lost in the sector. Cinema halls have been closed since the lockdown was first announced in March.
