On Saturday, Ministry of Home Affairs allowed cinema halls to run with 100% audience capacity from 1st February. After that, a new set of SOPs for cinema halls is released by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Still after allowing full capacity, basic COVID protocols will be followed like use of masks and six-feet distance in the waiting area. Also, there will be availability of touch-free hand sanitizers and spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
Also, there will be staggered show timings to avoid crowd at the time of entry-exit.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar took his Twitter handle to share this good news. He wrote, “Good news for Cinema lovers: Today, issued the revised SOP for the film exhibition, 100% occupancy will be allowed in theatres from 1st February, but all Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s COVID-19 guidelines will have to be followed.”
Good news for Cinema lovers:
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
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) January 31, 2021
The news is a big sound of relief for film makers and hall owners. The past few months have been very tough for film makers and producers. Theatre owners are also ready to welcome back their audience in full capacity.