Keypoints:
- On Sunday, the Government announced that theatres and cinema halls can operate at 100 per cent capacity.
- Staggered show timings and physical distancing of minimum 6 feet in common areas are among the SOPs announced on Sunday.
- Adequate physical distance and measures need to be followed outside the auditorium.
Starting from Monday across the country, cinema halls and theatres can function with full capacity but with certain measures and precautions. In the SOPs issued by the Centre on Sunday, it said that while there is full capacity in theatres being allowed, adequate physical distancing measures have to be followed outside the auditoriums, common areas and waiting areas at all times.
To avoid crowding and longer intermissions, the multiplexes have been asked to followed staggered show timings so that the audience in the auditorium seated in different rows can move in a staggered manner.
Considering the physical distancing and all the precautionary measures, the Information and Broadcasting ministry has recommended to opt for digital bookings of the tickets and contact number of the ticket-holder should be taken at the time of booking to facilitate contact tracing. Another important direction in the latest SOPs is to operate air-conditioning inside the cinema halls in the range of 24-30 degree Celsius.
Important things to keep in mind:
- Face masks inside halls and theatres are mandatory.
- Spitting inside the premises is strictly prohibited.
- Only asymptomatic individuals will be allowed.
- Opt for online booking of tickets.
- Thermal screening of visitors/staff at entry points will be conducted.
The guidelines issued by the government says that, ” “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.”
“Only asymptomatic individuals shall be allowed to enter the premises. Provisions for hand sanitization should be made available at all entry points and in work areas. Designated queue markers shall be made available for entry and exit of the audience from the auditorium and the premises. The exit should be done in a staggered row-wise manner to avoid crowding,” according to the SOPs.
“Regular cleaning and disinfection of the box office, food and beverage areas, employees and staff lockers, toilets, public areas, and back office areas shall be ensured. Measures for the safety of sanitization staff such as adequate provisions for rational use of gloves, boots, masks, PPE, etc. shall be undertaken,” it said.
The cinema hall owners have also been asked to frequently sanitize the entire premises, common facilities, and all points which come into human contact, e.g. handles, railings, etc.
