NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday gave the green light to cinemas to reopen from October 15 and issued directives such as running at 50% capacity, physical distancing in common areas, use of masks, and easy availability of sanitisers in touch-free mode at entry and exit points.
Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar released the SOPs on Tuesday and said , would ensure that even as the business of film exhibition resumes, it is done keeping in mind all safety protocols.
While cinemas in containment zones will remain shut, the government has allowed states and UTs to add extra measures in their respective regions. The guidelines mandate adequate physical distancing of at least 6ft outside auditoriums, common areas and waiting areas at all times, the use of face masks, and mandatory availability of hand sanitisers, preferably in the touch-free mode, at entry and exit points and common areas inside the premises.
While the use of Aarogya Setu app has not been made mandatory, the SOPs advise its installation and use. Javadekar also said online booking of tickets will be encouraged, but box office would be open for single-screen theatres. "Proper ventilation has to be ensured and temperature setting of ACs should be above 23 degrees Celsius," he said.
The new SOPs also bar overlap between start, finish or intermission time of films in multiplexes. They also mandate the collection of contact numbers of all those who book tickets to facilitate contact tracing. Box offices will remain open for ticketing throughout the day and advance booking will be allowed to avoid crowds.