COVID-19: Union Min Javadekar announces SOPs for reopening of cinema halls under Unlock 5

Union Minister of Information and Brocasting Prakash Javekar on Tuesday declared that cinema halls, atres and multiplexes will reopen on October 15 under newly-anunced guidelines of 'Unlock 5'. During a media briefing, Javekar anunced that all COVID-19 guidelines and standard operating protocols (SOPs) issued by Information and Brocasting  Ministry must be followed at all cinema halls and atres.

Cinema halls will open nearly after seven months. y have been shut across country since March when Prime Minister Narendra Modi anunced a nationwide lockdown to combat coronavirus pandemic. 

"Cinema halls are shut for last seven months. y are w opening from October 15. For safety of people, we have come out with SOP to be followed," Javekar said.

'50 per cent capacity only'

Union Minister furr said cinema halls shall be allowed to open with 50 per cent capacity only and people will maintain one-seat distance. Wearing masks at all times will be important, he ded. He also said that online booking of tickets will be encourd however box office will be open for single-screen atres.

"In single-screen atres, ticket counters will be opened. However, we encour online booking for contact-less transactions. Proper ventilation has to be ensured and temperature setting of all air conditioning should be above 23 degree Celsius," he said.

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HERE ARE  SOPs FOR CINEMA HALLS:

1. Occupancy of auditorium shall t be more than 50 per cent
2. equate physical distancing while seating
3. Seats 't to be occupied' shall be marked as such
4. Provision for hand wash and hand sanitisers
5. Installation and use of Arogya Setu App shall be vised to all
6. rmal 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 encourd
10. Regular cleaning and disinfection of box office, and or areas
11. Sufficient number of counters at box office shall be opened
12. Audience encourd to avoid movement during intermission
13. Floor markets shall be used for physical distancing for queue manment at box office
14. Purchase of tickets at box office to be open throughout day, vance booking to be allowed to avoid crowding
15. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited
16. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed
17. Only packd food and bevers shall be allowed; delivery inside hall
18. Multiple sale counters for food and bever
19. Measures for safety of sanitisation staff such as equate provisions for gloves, boots, masks, PPE, etc
20. Contact number shall be taken to facilitate contact tracing
21. Sufficient number of counters at box office shall be opened
22. COVID-19 related stigmatisation or unruly behaviour shall be dealt with strictly
23. Temperature setting of all air conditioning should be in range of 24-30 degree Celsius
24. Public service anuncements on wearing masks, physical distancing and hand hygiene to be me before and after screening and during intermission.

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(With inputs from PTI)