Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Prakash Javadekar announced on Sunday, January 31, that cinema halls across the country will be permitted to operate at full capacity from today, February 1 with adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.
Good news for Cinema lovers:
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) January 31, 2021
Today, Issued the revised SOP for the film exhibition, 100% occupancy will be allowed in theatres from 1st February, but all @MoHFW_INDIA #COVID19 guidelines will have to be followed.https://t.co/5vfZtAoHXW@MIB_India pic.twitter.com/89qZpSiMhq
Adequate physical distancing, mandatory face masks and sanitisation of auditorium after every screening are among the latest SOPs issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, after the government allowed cinema halls to operate at 100 per cent occupancy. Digital booking of tickets and staggered show timings to avoid crowding will be encouraged, the minister said, releasing a set of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The development comes days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) allowed cinema halls and theatres to operate with more people as per fresh COVID-19 reopening guidelines.
According to new guidelines, no film shall be allowed to screen in containment zones and states and union territories may consider “proposing additional measures” as per their assessment.
To minimise physical contact, digital transactions should be the “most preferred mode” for booking tickets or payment. Contact number shall be taken at the time of booking of tickets to facilitate contact tracing. Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all, the SOPs read.
Sufficient number of counters at the box office shall be opened with adequate physical distancing norms, to prevent crowding during physical booking of tickets, the SOPs read.
Adequate time intervals between successive screenings on a single screen as well as on various screens in a multiplex shall be provided to ensure “row-wise staggered entry and exit of the audience”.
Staggered show timings will be encouraged so that the entry and exit of the crowd can be managed better. Sanitisation and all COVID-19 safety protocols must be followed, Javadekar added.
Continuing with the basic health guidelines amid the pandemic, there should be availability of hand sanitisers — preferably in the touch-free mode — at entry and exit points. A thermal screening of all visitors and staff will be carried out at entry points, with only asymptomatic individuals allowed to enter, according to the guidelines.
The SOPs stated that the number of people in the elevators shall be restricted, with efforts to encourage the audience to avoid movement during the intermission.
Mandatory wearing of face cover for staff and sanitisation of cinema auditorium after every screening are part of the SOPs which also directs theatre owners to make arrangements for regular cleaning and disinfection drive at the box office, food and beverage areas, employee and staff lockers, toilets, public areas, and back office.
The ministry has also asked the cinema owners to make public service announcements on wearing masks, observing physical distancing and maintaining hand hygiene, before the screening, during intermission and at the end of the screening.
Any COVID-19 related stigmatisation or unruly behaviour shall be dealt with strictly by coordination between the auditorium manager(s) and the local authorities, the SOPs stated.
Customers shall be encouraged to use cinema apps/QR codes, etc. for ordering food as much as possible and multiple sale counters in food and beverage area be made available wherever possible.”
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