Cinema halls to reopen from October 15

The Centre on Tuesday released the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for film shows, making mandatory thermal screening of all visitors and staff, adequate physical distancing, use of face covers and masks.

Releasing the SOP, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that as per the decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, cinema halls will reopen from October 15, 2020 and to that end, the I&B Ministry prepared this SOP. The SOP on preventive measures for films shows has been prepared in consultation with the Union Health Ministry.

The SOP highlights include the general principles already given by the Health Ministry like thermal screening of all visitors and staff, adequate physical distancing, use of face covers and masks and frequent hand washing.

The I&B Ministry formulated the SOP taking into consideration international practices in the sector, including physical distancing, entry and exit with designated queue markers, sanitization, safety of staff, contact minimisation, etc. The seating arrangements shall be restricted to 50 per cent of the capacity. Multiplex show timings shall be staggered, so as to not have any overlap. The temperature setting shall be in the range of 24-30 degrees Celsius.

The SOP may be used by all states and other stakeholders while resuming film shows, Javadekar said.