A very good news is already on the way for movie lovers. On Wednesday, the ministry of home affairs have given the permission to re-open the cinema halls from 15th October. But only the 50 percent of seat will be available and everybody need to maintain the social distancing rules very carefully. However, Only those movie theatres are going to open which are in the areas that are so far outside of the containment zones. The standard operating procedures for the same is also going to be issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Swimming pools in the entertainment parks and especially for the training of sportspersons have also been permitted to open, subject related to the SOPs will be soon issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports respectably.
What are the Main Conditions to Open Movie theatres
The latest protocols are saying that cultural, religious, political, academic, sports, entertainment and social functions and other gathering events that already have been permitted with a limitation of 100 people, might be getting extended for more people only outside of the Covid-19 containment Zones, only if the state and union territories give permission to do so.
#MuliplexAssociation has requested the government to reopen cinema halls in #India. They feel with big films going to #OTT, if their business has to survive theatres have to reopen soon! They have submitted an SOP, and ensuring strict health measures & distancing will be taken. pic.twitter.com/fsEvEIarCy
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) July 18, 2020
In the closed cinema halls, only 50% of the total hall capacity is going be used, with a limitation of 200 people inside the hall. Maintaining social distancing rules, wearing face masks, provision for thermal scanning and using alcohol hand sanitizers will be compulsory. And in the open spaces like parks, size of the ground or space will be kept in mind, with strict observance of social distancing rules and compulsory wearing of face masks. There should be strict provinces for the thermal scanning and hand sanitizers according to the health protocols provided by the ministry.
Surely, the theatrical market in India is counting a huge amount of loss, costing around 3000 crores across different languages since last six months, while Cinema halls have remained shut since March. Trade experts are saying that hindi film industry or the Bollywood have counted a total loss of 2000 cores. The country already has lost 12% of its movie screen because of this worldwide pandemic Covid-19, especially the single screen theatres because of lacking in foreseeable fixed income and paying salaries. Movie theatres are at the top of list to became first ones to shut and last to re-open in this country because of this deadly virus Covid-19.
The government issued guidelines for #Unlock 5 on Wednesday evening. Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks etc will be allowed to re open from October 15 with certain SOPs in place. #COVID19 #Pandemic #Unlock5Guidelines #MHA https://t.co/sOnNcmwZrO
— National Herald (@NH_India) September 30, 2020
Somehow, so many challenges are still remaining. Girish Johar, the film trade and exhibition expert have mentioned that movie theatres not only have to maintain all the health related protocols only, but also have to wait for the permission of the state too. Cinema is a private matter of an individual state so, all have to wait a bit more to see if all the states will approve the permit of re-opening cinema halls. For now west bengal is the only state that have already permitted cinema halls to be opened on 15th October. Besides, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu government have said, Cinema halls will remain closed upto 31st December. Another problem that is still remaining that of content as well as the cinemas that are ready to announce their release have to delay their schedule.
