Silver screens are getting ready to entertain audiences once again. The Central government has already given permission to exhibitors to open theatres from October 15th. Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has released SOPs and guidelines to be followed mandatorily by exhibitors on Tuesday.
He stressed that theatres should function with only 50% occupancy and should be sanitized hourly. He also instructed that only packaged food should be allowed into theatres and exhibitors must take steps to avoid crowds during interval time.
Precautions to be followed
1. Occupancy of the auditorium shall not be more than 50%
2. Adequate physical distancing must be maintained while seating
3. Seats “Not to be occupied” shall be marked as such
4. Provision for hand wash and sanitizers
5. Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all
6. Thermal screening to be carried out. Only asymptomatic individuals shall be allowed
7. Self-monitoring of health and reporting any illness
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 must be undertaken
11. Audience encouraged to avoid movement during the intermission
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. Only packaged food and beverages shall be allowed; no delivery inside hell
17. Multiple sale counters for food and beverage
18. Measures for the safety of sanitization staff such as adequate provisions for gloves, boots, masks, PPE, etc.
19. Contact number shall be taken to facilitate contact tracing
20. Sufficient number of counters at the box office shall be opened
21. COVID-19 related stigmatization or unruly behaviour shall be dealt with strictly
22. Temperature setting of all air conditioning shall be in the range of 24-30 degree Celsius
23. Public service announcements on wearing masks, physical distancing and hand hygiene to be made before and after screening and during intermission
Announced the Standard operating procedures, SOP's for cinema halls, multiplexes etc. for screening of films, as they reopen from 15th of October as per Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines.#UnlockWithPrecautions pic.twitter.com/X1XZFZoDAT
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) October 6, 2020
