(Image source from: Hindustantimes.com)

New Set of Rules for Movie Theatres Released During COVID-19 Time:- The Centre recently granted permission to reopen the theatres across the country as a part of Unlock 5.0. The theatres will reopen from October 15th with 50% occupancy. The Centre also issued special guidelines about the rules to be followed once the theatres are open. Here are some of the issued SOPs to be followed in the country across the movie theatres and multiplexes:

The occupancy should not exceed 50% in the auditorium. Adequate physical distancing should be followed while seating.

All the seats that are not occupied should be marked. There should be provisions for hand wash and using hand sanitizers in the premises of the theatres.

Arogya Setu app should be installed and used by the audience. The theatre authorities should carry thermal screening and only asymptomatic individuals should be allowed inside.

Cinema halls are permitted to open from 15th October 2020 with up to 50% of their seating capacity.

Maintaining physical distance and provisions for hand hygiene and thermal screening are must.

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— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 6, 2020

The audience should report any illness and should be in the state of self-monitoring. The show timings should be staggered for different screens and the digital modes of payments should be preferred by the audience.

The theatre authorities should be focused on regular cleaning and disinfection of the entire theatre premises. There should be a sufficient number of booking counters and the audience are asked to avoid movement in the intervals.

Proper queue management at the box office using floor markings.

No food/beverage allowed inside the auditorium while the audience should follow the respiratory etiquettes.

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— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 6, 2020

The theatres should use floor markers to follow physical distancing. The theatres should also allow advance bookings to avoid overcrowding. Spitting is strictly prohibited and the respiratory etiquettes should be followed.

The theatres should allow only packaged food, beverages and multiple food counters should be introduced to prevent the mad rush. The theatre staffers should wear PPE kits, gloves, masks and boots.

All the contact numbers should be taken to facilitate contact tracing. The theatres should set a temperature of 24-50 degrees in the auditorium. All the public service announcements related to coronavirus should be screened before, between and after the film's screening.

Wearing of face covers/masks is mandatory & contact number will be taken to facilitate contact tracing.

Public service announcements on COVID appropriate behaviour shall be made & any stigmatization or unruly behaviour shall be dealt with strictly.
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— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 6, 2020