Centre issues new COVID SOPs; allows 100% occupancy in cinema halls
Amid declining cases and deaths due to COVID in India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday issued fresh SOPs for theatres and and cinema halls.
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The central government has now allowed 100% occupancy in cinema halls from February 1. According to the new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday, "Seating arrangement inside the auditorium of the cinemas/theatres/multiplexes is to be allowed upto 100% seating capacity."
Earlier this month, the government had issued coronavirus guidelines which allowed cinema halls, which were previously permitted to house people at 50% of their seating strength, to operate at a higher capacity.
Other mandatory measures include staggered show times and bookings, mandatory social distancing, and use of face masks and hand sanitizers.
A nationwide lockdown was imposed to fight the pandemic and nearly 10,000 theatres closed in mid-March when the government announced restrictions. But in October, they were allowed to open even though the number of admissions were very limited.
Cinema halls and movie theatres possess some of the biggest infection risks since it is a closed space, where virus can spread easily, for an extended period of time. To minimize the danger, Indian cinemas are only allowing separated seats, staggered show times and are encouraging digital payments. Masks and temperature checks have also been mandatory.
As of today, according to Union Health Ministry, India reported 13,052 new COVID cases, 13,965 discharges, and 127 deaths in the last 24 hours and active cases are 1,68,784.
-PTC News
