Updated: October 6, 2020 4:50:22 pm
Workers clean seats at Menoka Cinema Hall before it reopens in Kolkata. (PTI photo)
On Tuesday, the government issued guidelines for the reopening of movie theaters and multiplex cinemas starting October 15. Under the new Unlock 5 guidelines, cinemas and multiplexes have been able to reopen with 50 percent seating capacity. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) today published standard operating procedures (SOPs) that must be followed by all movie theaters and multiplexes.
So what changes in the cinema?
According to the guidelines, cinemas, theaters and multiplexes will be allowed to open from October 15, almost seven months since the blockade was imposed. However, auditoriums will be allowed to operate at only 50% capacity.
According to SOPs, adequate physical distancing is required when sitting; this, in effect, means that each alternate seat must be kept empty and clearly marked. Additionally, cinemas will also have to provide provisions for sanitizers and hand-washing facilities. Use of the Aarogya Setu app is recommended and all cinema goers will be thermally screened before entering. Only asymptomatic people will be allowed to enter.
Can I still buy tickets at the box office?
While the ticket offices will remain open, the ministry has encouraged online bookings where possible. The box office counters, according to the guidelines, will remain open throughout the day and advance reservations will be allowed to avoid crowds. In addition, floor markers will be placed to guide physical distancing as well as queue management.
What about food and drinks inside the movie theater?
Moviegoers have been warned to avoid moving during intermission, and in accordance with guidelines, food and drink delivery within the auditorium will not be allowed. Only packaged food and drinks will be sold and the number of food counters will be increased to avoid long lines.
What else changes?
Show times. Movie theaters will now have staggered show times to avoid a large gathering outside of auditoriums before a movie starts.
The locker and other areas will also need to be disinfected regularly. Inside the auditoriums, the temperature of all air conditioners will be between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Public service announcements on mask use, physical distancing, and hand hygiene will be made before and after the screening, as well as during intermission. You may also be asked to provide your phone number at the movie theater to help locate contacts if necessary.
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