COVID-19: Govt issues guidelines for opening cinema halls from 15 Oct

Oct. 6: After seven months of shut down due to Covid-19, cinema halls will reopen on October 15 with 50 per cent capacity and one-seat distance between the viewers. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting released the standard operating procedure for exhibition of films in cinema halls and multiplexes. The guidelines are in line with the Unlock 5.0 rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19 while restarting businesses.

Briefing the press at his residence on Tuesday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said sufficient time interval between successive screenings on a single screen as well as on various screens in a multiplex should be provided to ensure row-wise staggered entry and exit of the audience.

◾️Cinema halls to reopen from 15th October

◾️To operate with 50% occupancy

◾️Only packed food to be allowed

◾️Proper ventilation and AC temperature in the range of 24 to 30 degree Celsius

SOP for exhibition of films⬇️ pic.twitter.com/cFDwAZMA3Z

— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 6, 2020

Here are the complete set of guidelines:

1. Adequate physical distancing while seating

2. Occupancy of the auditorium shall not be more than 50%

3. Seats “not to be occupied” shall be marked as such

4. Provision for hand wash and hand sanitizers

5. Installation and use of Arogya Setu application shall be advised to all

6. Self-monitoring of health and reporting any illness

7. Audience must be encouraged to avoid movement during the intermission

8. Staggered show timings shall be followed for different screens

9. Digital modes of payments to be encouraged

10. Regular cleaning and disinfection of the box office, and other areas

11. Sufficient number of counters at the box office shall be opened

12. Floor markers shall be used for physical distancing for queue management at box office

13. Purchase of tickets at box office to be open throughout the day, advance booking to be allowed to avoid crowding

14. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited

15. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed

16. Multiple sale counters for food and beverage

17. Only packaged food and beverages shall be allowed, no delivery inside the hall

18. Measures for the safety and sanitisation of staff such as adequate provisions for gloves, boots, masks, etc.

19. Thermal screening to be carried out. Only asymptomatic individuals shall be allowed

20. Proper crowd management in the parking lots and outside the premises

21. Contact number shall be taken to facilitate contact tracing

22. Sufficient number of counters at the box office shall be opened

23. Do’s and Don’ts shall be communicated at prominent access points

24. COVID-19 related stigmatization or unruly behaviour shall be dealt with strictly