New Delhi: In what comes as a positive news for the film distributors and theatre owners, the Union Home Ministry has allowed the cinema halls to operate at 100 percent seating capacity from February 1 onwards.
In tune with the same, the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry also stated that seating arrangement inside the auditorium of the cinemas, theatres and multiplexes is to be allowed up to 100 percent seating capacity from the current 50 percent since October last year.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry also issued a new set of SOPs, including adequate physical distancing of at least six feet to be followed outside the auditoriums, common areas and waiting areas at all times, for the cinema halls and theatres to prevent the spread of the novel Covid-19.
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The other guidelines issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry include the use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory at all times and availability of hand sanitizers, preferably in the touch-free mode, at entry and exit points as well as common areas within the premises.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has also said that respiratory etiquettes must be strictly followed, adding this involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
“Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.
Spitting shall be strictly prohibited. Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all,” add the other guidelines.
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The Producers Guild of India welcomed the decision.
“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,” the Producers Guild of India said on Twitter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We welcome the decision of <a >@MIB_India</a> to allow 100% capacity in cinemas from February 1 and extend our sincere gratitude to Honourable <a >@PrakashJavdekar</a> ji and everyone involved in facilitating this important step in our industry’s recovery</p>— Producers Guild of India (@producers_guild) <a >January 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>