New Delhi: In wake of the decline in the covid-19 cases in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to reopen cinema halls, drama theatres, and auditoriums from Friday, October 22, 2021, along with strict covid-19 protocols like the wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing among many others.
In order to restore the city's entertainment and cultural landscape, the BMC has issued three separate directives regarding the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the reopening of the cinema halls, drama theatres, and auditoriums. However, the Maharashtra government has directed that the amusement parks will reopen today without any water rides.
The SOPs issued by the BMC will only be applicable to those establishments which fall under its civic jurisdiction.
Here are important Covid-19 guidelines that need to be followed:
1. As per the SOPs issued, the establishment will operate with 50% of the seating capacity.
2. The show timings at the establishments need to be staggered in order to avoid chaos.
3. Sale of packaged food and beverages will be allowed. However, no one will be allowed to carry their own food items inside the screening hall.
4. People are directed to compulsory wear face masks all the time.
5. The establishments are told to provide hand sanitisers inside the halls, toilets and other places wherever deemed necessary. Spitting is not allowed inside the premises of the establishment.
6. The establishments are directed to conduct thermal check-ups at the entry point. "Spectators must have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or their health status on the Aarogya Setu app must show as safe," reads the SOP released by the BMC.
7. The SOPs has further directed the establishments to keep the temperature of the AC between 24 to 30 degree Celsius while the humidity level should be between 40 to 70 per cent.